N'Faly Dante Parents

N'Faly Dante, a basketball player from Bamako, Mali, is on a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets as of November 2024. Standing 7 feet tall, Dante plays as a center and is known for his defensive presence. Despite going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Rockets recognized his potential. Dante moved to the United States and attended Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas, where he was a five-star recruit.

In October 2019, Dante was initially ruled ineligible for college basketball at the University of Oregon due to NCAA clearance issues. He eventually debuted in December 2019, scoring 11 points in his first game against Montana. On January 18, 2020, he suffered a knee injury against Washington, missing several weeks. In December 2020, Dante scored a career-high 22 points against Florida A&M. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL later that month, ending his season. As a sophomore, he averaged 8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 65.6% from the field. In the 2023–24 college season, Dante showcased his skills, averaging 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.9 blocks across 22 games. With the Rockets, Dante is considered a raw talent with significant upside.

Who Are N'Faly Dante's parents?

N'Faly Dantes' parents are Ibrahima Dante and Assetou Diabate. He was born to them on October 19, 2001, in Bamako, Mali.

N'Faly Dante's Father

Ibrahima Dante, N'Faly’s father, passed away when N'Faly was only a few months old. Although N'Faly doesn’t have many memories of his father, he has spoken about how growing up without him left a lasting impact. (via The Oregon)

N'Faly Dante's Mother

N'Faly's mother is Assetou Diabate. Assetou was a constant presence in N'Faly's life, providing for N'Faly and his siblings despite the challenges they faced.

While playing for the University of Oregon, N'Faly wrote a letter for her mother in Player's Tribune. N'Faly remembers how his mother would ensure he ate well, even if he was a picky eater as a child. She would prepare meals for him, including a hot meal after basketball practice, and often cooked several times a day to ensure the family was fed. Despite the hardships, N'Faly’s mother always kept him motivated, especially in his early years when he wanted to quit basketball. When N'Faly hurt his ankle and wanted to give up, Assetou’s words were simple but powerful: “Get your butt back out there.”

While playing at Oregon, N'Faly Dante expressed immense gratitude for everything his mother did for him. As a way to repay her for her sacrifices, he has used his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) earnings to build her a new home in Mali. The three-story house is under construction and will be a surprise for Assetou, who doesn’t speak English or follow American news.

Dante has often expressed that his family's well-being is what matters most to him. "As long as my family is good, I’m good. But just have to do whatever I can for the people who have tried to help me and my family. Do anything for them," he said. His selflessness has been praised by Oregon head coach Dana Altman. (via BroBible)