College of William & Mary basketball sophomore Colin Lamine Ndaw has been a student and an athlete in the U.S. since high school, but he has never stopped trying to make a difference in his home country of Senegal. “I always pride myself in staying connecting to my roots, where I came from, and those who raised me. I was taught by my community that no matter where I am, I should try my best to put my best foot forward, while not forgetting the people at home who are always supporting me and rooting for me.” His sister Dieynaba was the first in the family to leave Senegal for the U.S. when she received a scholarship to attend the well-renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He moved to the U.S. after also receiving a scholarship to attend IMG, beginning in 2019 when he was 13 years old. The siblings were in the U.S. together through May 2025. Dieynaba played soccer as an undergraduate at Duke University and earned her master’s degree at the University of Miami last May before moving to Spain to play professional soccer while also playing for the Senegal Women’s National Team.
INSPIRATION
The Ndaw siblings’ lives have always been centered around sports. “Our older brother Hans taught us the importance of how you can connect with anybody in the world through a basketball or a soccer ball. That always stayed with us because a lot of the friendships we have made along the way have been through sports,” he explained. “When Hans passed away (in 2019), my sister and I wanted to carry on his legacy not only through athletics, but with something bigger that really represents who he was as a person. It was a but rough growing up after he passed away, but we always kept in mind how we wanted to continue what he taught us. His passing always reminds me that this life is very short, so we need to make the most out of it, to cherish those moments with your family, and to live your life in the most authentic way.”
Ndaw wasted no time in building for others when he was in the U.S., joining forces with his close friend LJ Katz. “We wanted to start something small with a shoe drive at IMG to collect maybe 40-to-50 shoes for those in need, and it has grown to donating more than 500 shoes at a time. It showed what can happen when we act with intention to carry out Hans’ legacy.” Another inspiration for Ndaw is his late grandfather, Alassane Ndaw, who teamed with Senegal’s first president, Léopold Sedar Senghor, to establish the first public university in the nation, which attracted students from all over Africa. He was the first Black African professor of philosophy and the first Senegalese faculty arts dean at the University of Dakar.
NDAW FOUNDATION
In 2022, Colin and Dieynaba co-founded the Ndaw Foundation, which is focused on making a positive impact on Africa’s younger generation to empower them to overcome inequalities through sports and education. “We believe this was Hans’ mission in life and although he wasn’t able to achieve it, we are here to carry it on. We eventually want to create a system where we show the world the opportunity and talent in Africa,” Colin expressed. “We want to take the best talent of Senegal and put them in environment where they are built to thrive, but we also want to look deeper than that. We want to build orphanages and schools where kids can truly create their future in a more equal and fair way, to give them an opportunity they deserve.” “The main thing is to build these orphanages and schools that are truly for everybody, not just the wealthiest or the most talented athletically, but all those who just need the opportunity to be seen academically or in whatever talent they may have,” he continued. “It is not just impacting people athletically, but in helping the youth build something that puts the entire continent of Africa a step forward.” What started out as a small shoe drive has turned into something much bigger with the Ndaw Academie (NDAW A.). In the first fiscal year alone, the Academie reached more than 1,000 youth in eight communities in four countries. In addition to shoes being donated to those in need in Bradenton, more than 100 shoes were donated to Kingston, Jamaica. In its core Senegal, the Academie conducted three basketball camps, repaired two schools, and donated more than 300 shoes.
In 2023-24, basketball camps returned to Parcelle Assainies and Kolda with new camps in Yoff and Amitie. The Academie also partnered with the Basketball Africa League (BAL) to bring 50 youth to attend two professional games and connect with the athletes. Last year, the camp reached new heights, reaching more than 1,300 young people and donating more than 400 pairs of shoes and 800 sports gear items. In 2025, NDAW A. hosted transformative basketball camps with the core theme of “Word Hard. Stay Motivated. Don’t Quit” across Senegal. Specific programs included partnering with Union Sportive de Kolda to provide essential resources on and off the court to empower all youth, particularly young women, to see themselves as leaders on and off the court. In September, NDAW A. partnered with Pulse Africa, a leading media company, to support an all-girls sports camp in Keur Jarraf.
“I am grateful to the community that has supported our mission in any way, those who have donated money or contributed in any way they could. The work is truly a shared effort,” Ndaw expressed.
BLACK STUDENT-ATHLETE SUMMIT
Ndaw was named one of the 2025 Black Student-Athlete Summit Athletes of the Year. “In my time in the U.S., I had never been in a predominantly Black place. I had never that kind of connection and when I saw information about the Summit, I thought it looked really interesting and I spoke to some friends at IMG who had previously attended and said it was the best experience,” he recalled.
“When I got there (the 2025 BSAS in Chicago), I was truly shocked. Everyone was willing to learn about each other and for the sake of networking, connecting, and helping each other out. No one was there just to be cool,” he explained. “It truly changed the way I even saw my life here could be, knowing that there is a community that not only exists, but is willing to help. I feel very blessed to have that.”
LED BY FAITH
He credits his Muslim faith for being his foundation in life and for the things he wants to accomplish for others. “Faith is something I am really passionate about. When I experienced my brother passing away at such a young age, I naturally questioned the purpose of life. I had to consider what would come next. How do I want to not only be seen by the world, but more importantly how do I want to be seen by God,” Ndaw communicated. “My faith played a strong factor in me being able to find my purpose after my brother’s death and realizing that the ultimate purpose is in trying to be the best human I can be.”
His work in Senegal and worldwide reflects those values. “It is about having the right intention in my heart. We can’t live just to be portrayed a certain way or to be seen in a good light in our community. Our religion emphasizes good deeds and good actions, but also that God rewards those who act with good intention,” Ndaw explained. “Some people believe that the smallest action is better than the greatest intention, but I see that flipped because you could be doing an action, but your heart posture may not necessarily be there. For instance, one may simply give a bottle of water to someone in need or just have the thought of doing that but be unable to due to circumstances. When done or even intended with humility, kindness, and compassion for the person, that sincerity of heart may reap greater reward than one who may donate millions of dollars to charity without the right intention in mind.” Ndaw particularly treasures his faith during Ramadan, which began on Feb. 18 this year. “I am especially busy during the time before Ramadan, so it is a great chance for me to focus. “Fasting (Muslims eat and drink before dawn and not again until after sunset) is an emphasis in most Abrahamic religions and it has so many benefits both physical and spiritual because it helps detach from worldly affairs and distractions that may be limiting you from reaching your soul’s higher self.”
NEXT STEPS
He strives to continue his basketball career and his philanthropic mission after earning his degree at Williams & Mary. “I definitely want to play overseas and use sports and education to start building infrastructure and having a more hands-on impact on the youth of Africa,” said Ndaw, who played on the Senegal U18 National Basketball Team. “I see it as my lifelong mission to help form the next generation of leaders. I want to expand our project as much as possible to have the greatest impact in people’s lives.”
Credits:
Photos courtesy of Colin Ndaw