N’famara Dabo: From Guinea to the Ivy League — A Full Court Dream
In 2019, a young teenager from Guinea boarded a plane bound for the United States, chasing the dream so many young athletes from around the world dare to imagine — to play high-level basketball, get an education, and build a better future. That teen was N’famara Dabo, known to all who love him simply as “Dabo.”
Prolific Prep's N'famara Dabo
He landed not in a familiar place, but in South Carolina, meeting up with a Prolific Prep team he had never practiced with, during the Chick-fil-A Classic — one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the country. He didn’t speak English, but he spoke four other languages. And what he lacked in vocabulary, he made up for in humility, intelligence, and determination.
On Christmas Eve, Dabo flew to California with his new teammates, ready to begin his high school career in Napa as a freshman at Prolific Prep. His days quickly filled with new challenges — adapting to American culture, learning a fifth language (English), and playing alongside future NBA and NCAA stars like Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois/Kansas State), Mouhamed Gueye (Atlanta Hawks), and Jordan Pope (Texas). But Dabo didn’t just rise to the occasion — he soared.
N'famafa Dabo goes for the blocked shot in Atlanta in 2023.
He enrolled at Napa Christian, the academic home of the Prolific Prep athletes, and quickly emerged as a straight-A student. He became especially close with Principal Mrs. Leone, who played a key role in helping him master the English language — a feat he accomplished in just a few months.
Off the court, Dabo lived with a host family in American Canyon — Michael and Gwendolyn Hill and their children. He became a true member of the family, learning how to cook, studying for school, and experiencing American life. He also spent time living with my own family on two different occasions, and in that time, we came to understand just how special Dabo truly is.
My wife Michele helped him cook and learn to swim in our backyard pool. Our son Chris — a chef — introduced him to new foods and enjoyed cooking dishes from his home country like Maafe, a peanut-based chicken stew served over rice. We hosted team dinners at our home and it was so fun to watch his African teammates’ friendships bloom with his American teammates around the dinner table over food from Guinea. Chris even gave Dabo his first driving lessons so he could earn his California driver’s license.
As Prolific Prep’s team photographer, I traveled across the country with Dabo and watched him grow, not only as a player but as a human being. Over his four years on the Grind Session National circuit, Dabo played under four different head coaches — Joey Fuca, Mark Phelps, Billy McKnight, and Ryan Bernardi — and helped the program qualify for the Chipotle Nationals (formerly the GEICO Nationals) every year. Though the national title eluded him, he remained a vital and consistent piece of the program.
Dabo played all four years of his high school career on the Grind Session, competing against elite competition from around the world. He was part of a powerful wave of African talent that came through the circuit — playing alongside and against fellow players from across the continent who shared similar journeys of hope, sacrifice, and opportunity. Together, they helped redefine what international basketball development could look like on the American prep stage.
Dabo in the low post his senior year for Prolific Prep.
His academic excellence earned him a full scholarship to Brown University, one of the eight Ivy League schools and the seventh-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Now entering his junior year at Brown, Dabo continues to excel both on the basketball court and in the classroom, where he majors in computer science and engineering.
But what truly sets Dabo apart is his heart. In high school, he endured the devastating loss of his mother to kidney disease — a pain that he carried with grace, maturity, and an even stronger commitment to his goals. When I once asked him if he hoped to play in the NBA someday, he looked at me, smiled gently, and said:
“Rick, I want to graduate and go back to Guinea, run for office, and make my country a better place for everyone.”
It brought tears to my eyes.
Basketball has been a bridge for Dabo — from Guinea to America, from language barriers to academic success, from grief to purpose. But perhaps more importantly, Dabo has become a bridge for others. His presence has enriched the lives of those lucky enough to know him — teammates, coaches, classmates, teachers, and host families alike.
N’famara Dabo’s dream goes far beyond basketball. His story is one of hope, resilience, and purpose — a powerful reminder that while the game might start with a ball and a hoop, the dreams it inspires can change the world.
And if you’ve ever met Dabo, you already know he will.
