N’Faly Dante is one of the best centers players in college basketball this season. The 22-year-old fifth-year senior played a crucial role for an Oregon Ducks team that played its way into March Madness through the Pac-12 Tournament.
Regardless of what plays out with his team down the stretch, Dante’s college basketball career has changed his life forever. And perhaps more importantly, it has allowed him the opportunity to change his mother’s life forever.
She just doesn’t know it yet!
Dante has been able to profit financially as a prominent athlete in the Name, Image and Likeness era. However, because he is in Eugene on an F-1 student visa, he is unable to get paid while in the United States. The Mali-native had to earn his money while back home over the summer.
Much of that fortune is going right back to his family. His people are his main priority.
As long as my family is good, I’m good. But just got to do whatever I can for the people that have tried to help me and my family. Do anything for them.
— N’Faly Dante
Oregon head coach Dana Altman raved about his big man’s character in a press conference earlier this season.
NIL… he was more worried about taking care of his family back in Mali than himself! Unselfishness like that is. What a quality.
— Dana Altman
Dante also revealed at the time that he is building a new house for his mother. He recently told Ryan Clarke of the Oregonian that construction is already underway!
Dante is building a three-story home in his birth city of Bamako, Mali.
I want to surprise her, but my brothers and sisters know. As long as they’re good, I’m good. If not for what my mom did for us, we couldn’t have done anything. Everything I wished for as a kid, I had it.
— N’Faly Dante, via The Oregonian
It is a surprise, but his mom does not read American news or speak English so there is no concern about her finding out. She is going to learn about her son’s remarkable gesture when it is move-in ready.
N’Faly Dante cannot wait to see his mother’s reaction. He is so excited to give back to someone who worked so hard to get him every opportunity for success as a child.
His mother roasted peanuts over a flame to make peanut butter at a local market so that she could afford to send her kids to private school. She would have a meal prepared and hot water ready for her son after basketball practice every night. She never once complained.
Now, after helping Dante to reach his full potential, he is able to take care of her like she did him.
NIL made that possible!