NEW YORK (AP) — Madina Okot had a special guest at the Atlanta Dream's win over the New York Liberty on Wednesday night as Kenyan President William Ruto was sitting courtside.
He was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly this week and wanted to see her play.
“That was a very good honor, I appreciate him showing up,” Okot told The Associated Press after Atlanta's 83-65 win 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 and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum as well as members of NBA Africa.
The president took a selfie with the first lady and Okot as they talked on the court.
“I got to talk some Swahili today,” said a smiling Okot. “So happy I spoke Swahili to my president and the first lady.”
Ruto celebrated Okot getting drafted No. 13 by the Atlanta Dream back in April. Okot had two points and two rebounds in the win against New York.
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President of Kenya William Samoei Ruto, addresses the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marcus Semien hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning against his former team and Brett Baty added a pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth as the New York Mets beat the Texas Rangers 7-2 on Wednesday night.
Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean (12-10) allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings for the last-place Mets (73-85), who have won both games in Texas since ex-interim manager Andy Green was given the full-time position Tuesday.
The Rangers (78-80) have lost three consecutive games and trail first-place Houston by a half-game in the AL West, with the Astros playing later in Seattle. They own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas if the teams finish with the same record.
Semien, traded by the Rangers to the Mets last November for Brandon Nimmo, launched his 15th homer this season off All-Star closer Jacob Latz (3-4) to give New York a 3-2 lead. Semien’s first homer since Aug. 7 snapped an 0-for-13 slump.
Latz entered with two on and one out in the seventh, the first time he’s appeared before the eighth inning since April 12.
The Mets took a 2-0 lead in the third when Juan Soto followed Francisco Lindor’s two-out single with his 27th home run off starter Cody Bradford. It was Soto’s sixth homer this year against left-handed pitching.
After that, Soto was intentionally walked three times — twice with runners on first and second and a left-hander on the mound.
Texas tied the score at 2 in the fifth after McLean retired the Rangers’ first 12 batters. Nimmo, who spent 10 seasons with the Mets, led off with a sharp single to right field. He advanced to second on Ezequiel Duran’s groundout and scored on Jake Burger’s single. Evan Carter drove in the tying run when he beat out a potential double-play grounder.
New York left the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh after Soto was intentionally walked. He was given another free pass with first base open and two outs in the ninth, but Bo Bichette then walked against Trevor Williams to load the bases before Baty went deep.
Rookie LHP Zac Thornton (5-5, 3.40 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday afternoon as the Mets look for a three-game sweep. RHP Kumar Rocker (5-11, 4.47) pitches for Texas.
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Texas Rangers' Jake Burger, left, celebrates scoring on an Evan Carter force out grounder during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford jumps to catch a fly out against New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
New York Mets' Juan Soto runs the bases after hitting an two homer during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz looks on after giving up a home run to New York Mets' Marcus Semien during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
New York Mets' Marcus Semien (10) is congratulated by third base coach Jacob Latz as Semien runs the bases on a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
