Atlanta Dream Welcomes New Talent in WNBA Draft

For Angel Reese, the latest pick in the WNBA Draft feels like a significant moment. The Atlanta Dream chose Madina Okot from South Carolina as the 13th overall selection, and Reese is clearly thrilled. Just last week, she joined the Dream through a trade with the Sky.

Reese expressed her excitement on social media with a cheerful post: “Yay! Madina!! Another walking double-double!! Let’s go!!” Her enthusiasm was clear, emphasized with a heart-eyed emoji.

Okot, standing at 6-foot-6, averaged an impressive double-double during her senior year, with 12.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. With these stats, it’s easy to see why Reese and the team are optimistic about her future contributions.

In addition to her scoring and rebounding, Okot also showcased defensive skills, averaging 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting 57.5 percent from the field. She’s set to take on the role previously held by Brittney Griner, who is moving to Connecticut in free agency.

Dream general manager Dan Padover highlighted Okot’s impressive size as a critical factor in bringing her to Atlanta. He stated, “So she’s learning to stretch the floor to be able to crash the boards with that size, and she’s very talented and skilled.” He also mentioned her relatively recent introduction to basketball, implying there’s still much to discover about her potential. The coaching staff, especially Karl Smesko, seems eager to start developing her talent.

At her post-draft press conference, Okot described her feelings as “very excited right now” regarding her selection. Meanwhile, Reese has recently joined the Atlanta roster, having led the WNBA with 23 double-doubles last season, averaging 14.7 points and 3.7 assists per game. It looks like exciting times are ahead for the Dream and their fresh lineup.