Okot’s journey started removed from the highlight because the fifth of eight youngsters in her hometown of Mumias in western Kenya.
She initially excelled in volleyball at Bishop Sulumeti Excessive College in Kakamega County earlier than being persuaded to maneuver throughout the nation in 2020 to affix Kaya Tiwi Secondary, a college on the east coast close to Mombasa which has produced a few of Kenyan basketball’s largest names.
“I used to be virtually scared to strive basketball,” she recalled.
“However after I began taking part in I fell in love with the sport so rapidly.”
Her uncooked expertise propelled her by way of Kenya’s nationwide youth groups, with school sides in america alerted to her potential after she featured within the 3×3 basketball event on the 2022 Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham.
Nevertheless, moving into the USA examined her resilience, as Okot confronted no fewer than 4 visa rejections in her bids to affix Troy College in Alabama after which Jap Michigan College.
“It was robust. I felt like giving up a number of occasions,” Okot revealed.
“The second, third and fourth one I cried so exhausting.
“I had a safety guard taking me to my [taxi]. I felt so unhealthy.”
Having questioned whether or not to proceed a course of she described as “so heart-breaking, so discouraging”, Okot believes her dad and mom’ prayers and her personal resolve finally carried her by way of.
Aid lastly got here on a day in August 2024 that was already marked for celebration.
“The day that I obtained my visa was my birthday,” she stated with a broad smile throughout her face.
“That was my greatest birthday present I’ve ever obtained.
“I am so grateful to my mum and my dad and all people else that stored convincing me to maintain attempting.”
