Dream Add Size, Defense and Versatility in 2026 WNBA Draft

The Atlanta Dream added three talented pieces to their roster in the 2026 WNBA Draft, selecting Madina Okot with the No. 13 pick, Indya Nivar at No. 28 and Kejia Ran at No. 43.

“We’re really excited with the way tonight went,” general manager Dan Padover said. “Okot is someone we’ve been targeting for a while now. We believe her best basketball is ahead of her. She’s a great talent with an unlimited upside that Karl and the coaches are thrilled to be able to work with.”

At No. 13, the Dream landed a major frontcourt presence in Okot, a 6-foot-6 center out of South Carolina. In just two seasons of NCAA competition, she developed into one of the nation’s top post players, using her size and strength to dominate the paint.

Okot recorded 22 double-doubles, ranking third nationally, while averaging 10.6 rebounds per game. A 2024 All-SEC Second Team selection, she etched her name into South Carolina’s record books, finishing second in single-season offensive rebounds (149) and third in total (412) and defensive rebounds (236).

Before her time at South Carolina, Okot played at Mississippi State, where she started every game in her junior season and averaged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds, tallying 12 double-doubles. Originally from Mumias, Kenya, she didn’t begin playing basketball until age 16, transitioning from volleyball.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” head coach Karl Smesko said. “We were really hopeful — and maybe a bit pessimistic — that she would still be available. Her ability to crash the boards and the way she moves defensively, I think she’ll be a good addition.”

The Dream shifted to the backcourt at No. 28, selecting North Carolina guard Indya Nivar, a defensive-minded playmaker with a knack for impacting the game in multiple ways.

Nivar earned All-ACC Second Team and ACC All-Defensive Team honors in her senior season after starting all 35 games. She led the Tar Heels in steals and assists, averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

One of her most notable performances came in a historic triple-double — 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals — matching the program’s single-game steals record and making her just the fourth player in ACC history to record a triple-double featuring steals. She finished the season with 94 steals, the most by a North Carolina player in more than a decade.

“We like Nivar’s ability to make plays and her knack for the ball,” Smesko said. “She’s aggressive, attacks downhill and is not afraid of contact. She plays with high energy and gets a ton of steals. We’re excited she was available and looking forward to seeing her compete in training camp.”

Atlanta rounded out its draft at No. 43 with Kejia Ran, a 5-8 guard out of China who brings international experience and two-way versatility.

Ran has represented China in multiple FIBA competitions and stood out on the global stage. At the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, she averaged 19.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists, showcasing her ability to impact the game across the stat sheet.

Known for her defensive versatility, Ran can guard multiple positions while disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots. Offensively, she plays efficiently in the midrange and around the rim.

With a dominant rebounder in Okot, a disruptive perimeter defender in Nivar and a versatile international guard in Ran, the Dream added a blend of size, energy and upside — three pieces that could push competition in camp and strengthen the roster heading into the 2026 season.