Kenyan President William Ruto was a special guest at the Atlanta Dream’s victory over the New York Liberty on Wednesday night, attending the game to watch Kenyan player Madina Okot.
Ruto, who is in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, sat courtside to watch Okot play.
“That was a very good honor, I appreciate him showing up,” Okot told The Associated Press after Atlanta’s 83-65 victory on Wednesday night. “I’m the only Kenyan over here and it just shows how much he supports sports at home. I hope that this opens up opportunities for other girls. I’m so much blessed to get support from him.”
Ruto watched the game with his wife, Rachel, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and members of NBA Africa.
The Kenyan president also took a selfie with the first lady and Okot as they spoke on the court.
“I got to talk some Swahili today,” a smiling Okot said. “So happy I spoke Swahili to my president and the first lady.”
Ruto celebrated Okot being selected No. 13 overall by the Atlanta Dream in April.
Okot scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in Atlanta’s win over New York.