Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto attended the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) game between the Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, September 23, showing their support for Kenyan-born basketball star Madina Okot.
The Kenyan President, who was in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, watched the game courtside at Barclays Center as Okot represented the Atlanta Dream against the New York Liberty. The couple later met Okot on the court and posed for photographs together.
The appearance placed one of Kenya’s emerging basketball talents in the spotlight as she continued her debut WNBA season with Atlanta.
Atlanta Dream defeat New York Liberty 83-65
The Atlanta Dream closed their regular season with an emphatic 83-65 victory over the New York Liberty.
The result improved Atlanta’s record to 30-14 and secured the fourth seed in the WNBA playoffs, giving the Dream home-court advantage in the opening round. The team also tied its franchise record for regular-season victories.
Atlanta established control early, taking a 41-26 lead into halftime after limiting New York to seven points in the second quarter. The Dream’s defence forced 12 Liberty turnovers in the first half, helping Atlanta build a decisive advantage.
Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 24 points, while Naz Hillmon contributed 16 and Jordin Canada scored 12.
Madina Okot makes brief appearance
Okot featured for 2 minutes and 16 seconds, according to the official WNBA box score.
The Kenyan centre did not score but recorded one defensive rebound during her appearance. She also committed one personal foul.
Her appearance nevertheless marked another moment in a historic first WNBA season. Okot was selected by Atlanta with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft after her college career at the University of South Carolina.
According to the Associated Press, Okot said she appreciated President Ruto attending the game and expressed hope that the support could help create more opportunities for girls pursuing sport in Kenya.
Ruto and Rachel meet Okot after the game
Following the contest, Ruto and First Lady Rachel met Okot on the court.
The three were photographed together, including in a selfie shared from the encounter. Ruto had attended the game alongside NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and representatives of NBA Africa, according to the Associated Press.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Kenyan-born player to interact with her country’s leadership while competing on one of the world’s biggest women’s basketball stages.
Okot later told the Associated Press that speaking Swahili with the President and First Lady was a particularly memorable part of the encounter.
A significant moment for Kenyan basketball
Okot’s WNBA journey has attracted considerable attention in Kenya because of the significance of her reaching the league.
Her selection by Atlanta in the 2026 draft gave Kenyan basketball a representative on the WNBA stage, while her regular-season appearances have provided greater international visibility for a Kenyan-born female athlete.
The President and First Lady’s attendance in Brooklyn also connected Kenya’s political leadership with a major international sporting event involving one of the country’s emerging athletes.
The significance of the moment extends beyond the individual game. Okot’s presence in the WNBA provides young Kenyan basketball players with a visible example of a pathway from local and collegiate basketball to professional competition in the United States.
At the same time, her progress comes as the WNBA continues to attract growing international attention and players from outside the United States.
Atlanta now turns to the playoffs
The Dream’s victory means Atlanta enters the WNBA postseason as the No. 4 seed.
The first round of the playoffs begins Sunday, with Atlanta set to host its opening playoff game. The team will face either the Indiana Fever or Washington Mystics, with the exact opponent and game time to be determined.
For Okot, the playoff qualification provides another opportunity to continue her first season in the WNBA and contribute to an Atlanta team that finished the regular season with 30 victories.
The Brooklyn game therefore combined two developments of significance to Kenyan sports: the continued emergence of Okot on the international basketball stage and a high-profile show of support from Kenya’s President and First Lady.
Why it matters
President Ruto and Rachel Ruto’s attendance brought additional attention to Okot’s WNBA journey, while Atlanta’s victory secured home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
For Kenyan basketball, Okot’s continued presence in the WNBA represents an opportunity to increase the sport’s visibility and demonstrate a potential pathway for young athletes seeking professional careers abroad.
The immediate focus now shifts to Atlanta’s playoff campaign, where Okot will continue her first WNBA season with the fourth-seeded Dream.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- WNBA official box score and game records
- Atlanta Dream official game report
- Associated Press report via FOX Sports
- The Star Kenya report on Ruto and Rachel’s attendance
