Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Alisha Gray are rightfully stealing the spotlight this season as the Atlanta Dream build up postseason momentum. However, the franchise isn't just a formidable opponent because of the stars on their roster; it is the invaluable depth that makes this team such a tough customer to dismantle. From the bench, Madina Okot has become a force to be reckoned with, which will be critical come playoff time.
It should be no surprise to anyone that a South Carolina graduate has transitioned into the WNBA so gracefully. Madina Okot might not have the biggest role in Atlanta's rotation, but it is undoubtedly a crucial one. The forward's two-way physicality has allowed head coach Karl Smesko to utilise her in several different roles on the floor, but each has worked with great success.
Okot has been used sporadically during her rookie season, but when she has been given longer stretches on the floor, her impact has been undeniable. In the Dream's 124-88 demolition of the struggling Los Angeles Sparks, Okot recorded 12 points and six rebounds while shooting 71.4% from the floor.
The 21-year-old plugged critical minutes while several of her star teammates were taking a well-deserved rest on the bench. Many teams in the WNBA don't have such an option, which should provide Atlanta fans with a huge sense of optimism for a successful campaign.
Okot's bench impact could be pivotal in the postseason
Often, when discussing a player's bench impact, the statistic referred to is the points accumulated. However, being the sixth player in a rotation means so much more than that. A player's contribution must ensure their team can continue to ride the momentum the starting lineup has worked desperately to create. This could come in the form of big blocks, relentless rebounding, or simply being a defensive menace.
As a whole, the Dream actually struggles to score from the bench -- ranking 14th in the WNBA and averaging just 17.6 points per game -- but this doesn't mean Madina Okot's minutes on the floor aren't an important weapon in Atlanta's blueprint.
It's not that Okot can't put up points during her cameos, because she can and she does. In the 13 appearances in which the rookie has played more than 10 minutes, she has recorded 10+ points in eight of them. She scored a career-high 19 points in 22 minutes as the Dream fell to a 102-92 defeat at the hands of the Portland Fire.
However, Okot's importance to this team doesn't solely rely on her offensive efficiency; it is the impact she can make defensively while her star teammates devastate the opposition. Okot's rebounding allows Atlanta to retain a presence in the paint when Angel Reese isn't on the floor. Additionally, when the former Chicago Sky forward is in the lineup, Smesko has the option to field both players and disrupt their opponent's rhythm on the interior.
Individual stars don't win championships; it takes a deep squad filled with players ready to make a meaningful contribution. Madina Okot embodies the perfect role player who can impact the game in various ways that will hugely benefit the Atlanta Dream when the postseason rolls around.
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