The Madina Okot USBWA and SEC Player of the Week South Carolina double-doubles 2026 headline isn’t just a line of text—it’s the echo of dominance inside a roaring arena.
Inside Colonial Life Arena and on the road in hostile SEC territory, Okot didn’t just play. She imposed her will.
The senior forward from powered her team through two ranked opponents last week, earning both SEC Co-Player of the Week honors and national recognition from the (USBWA). It marks the second time this season she has swept both awards—a rare double nod that underscores her consistency and command.
And it came at the perfect moment.
With the SEC regular-season championship hanging in the balance, Okot delivered.
A Week of Power, Precision, and Poise
Two games. Two double-doubles. Two ranked opponents taken down.
Against No. 25/24 and No. 17/17 , Okot averaged:
- 16.5 points per game
- 13.0 rebounds per game
- 5-for-5 from three-point range
- Multiple dominant defensive sequences
The numbers alone jump off the stat sheet. But they don’t tell the whole story.
Against Ole Miss, the 6-foot-6 senior stretched the defense in ways few players her size ever have. She buried three shots from beyond the arc—smooth release, high arc, nothing but net. According to program records, no SEC player 6-foot-6 or taller has hit that many threes in a single game this century.
The crowd didn’t just cheer. It erupted.
Six of her 10 rebounds against the Rebels came on the offensive glass—second chances ripped away with authority. Each board felt like a gut punch to the opposition.
First-Half Fury in Tuscaloosa
Then came Alabama.
In the first 20 minutes, Okot looked untouchable.
She posted 13 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks—all before halftime. That’s a double-double in 16 minutes of action. Pure efficiency. Controlled aggression.
By the final buzzer, she had tallied 16 points and 16 rebounds, anchoring a performance that secured South Carolina’s share of its 10th SEC regular-season title.
When the stakes rise, so does she.
National Standing: Among the Elite
Zoom out beyond the SEC, and Okot’s impact becomes even clearer.
She currently ranks:
- 3rd nationally in double-doubles (18)
- 14th in rebounds per game (10.6)
- 17th in field goal percentage (.586)
- 23rd in offensive rebounds per game (3.7)
Her 1.7 blocks per contest place her among the top defensive presences in the SEC, and her 18 double-doubles are the 10th-most in a single season in program history.
This isn’t a hot streak.
It’s sustained dominance.
Other USBWA honorees this week included Hailey Adams (Rice), Ava Heiden (Iowa), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), and Olivia Miles (TCU)—elite company that reinforces the magnitude of Okot’s accomplishment.
For full conference coverage, fans can visit official coverage at https://www.secsports.com and national rankings updates at https://www.ncaa.com.
The Championship Standard
South Carolina, ranked No. 3/3 nationally, has built its identity on relentless defense, rebounding, and depth. Okot embodies all three.
Under head coach , the Gamecocks have developed a culture where dominance is expected, not celebrated as a surprise. That expectation is now muscle memory.
The grind of SEC play tests every weakness. It exposes hesitation. It punishes fatigue.
Okot hasn’t blinked.
She leads the nation with six double-doubles against ranked opponents—a stat that separates volume production from high-pressure excellence.
Big games? She answers.
Senior Night Approaches
Now the spotlight turns back to Columbia.
South Carolina closes the regular season at on Thursday, Feb. 26, hosting Missouri in an 8 p.m. tipoff. The Gamecocks will honor four seniors in a pregame ceremony around 7:40 p.m., a moment sure to stir emotion inside the packed arena.
Fans are also encouraged to participate in two community initiatives:
- SEC Food Fight – Bring canned food donations.
- Teddy Bear Toss – Stuffed animals (no batteries, unboxed) will be donated to local charities.
It’s championship basketball with a community heartbeat.
For tickets and official updates, visit the athletics homepage at https://gamecocksonline.com/.
Why This Moment Matters
Awards are recognition. Championships are legacy.
Okot’s back-to-back national and conference honors aren’t just personal milestones—they’re fuel for a postseason push that feels inevitable.
When she steps onto the hardwood, there’s a calm intensity about her. Teammates feed off it. Opponents feel it. The rhythm of the game bends slightly in her direction.
The SEC regular-season crown is secured. But March looms.
And if last week proved anything, it’s this: the Madina Okot USBWA and SEC Player of the Week South Carolina double-doubles 2026 surge is more than a headline—it’s a warning shot to the rest of the nation.
South Carolina isn’t just winning.
They’re peaking.
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