🏀0️⃣3️⃣7️⃣ Fanta Daffe
By Fanta Daffe
Meet Fanta Daffe, a student-athlete swishing hoops on both sides of the Atlantic while representing France and Mali on and off the hardcourt.
Editor’s Note: This is Fanta’s first-hand account of her transatlantic experience through basketball.
I was born and raised in France, specifically in the department of 91 (Essonne). Born March 2, 2001, my twin brother and I grew up with our brother and sister. For me, basketball is more than just a passion, it’s a lifestyle. It is a source of motivation and discipline that allows me to surpass myself and achieve my goals. I am an ambitious young woman who aspires to achieve great things. Currently, I am an NCAA Division I student-athlete in the United States, where I continue to hone my basketball skills while pursuing my studies.
Fanta’s Story
My basketball career started because of my mother’s intense work. To make sure my twin brother and I stayed busy after school, she enrolled us in a basketball club. The first practice sessions were amazing, and I quickly developed a passion for this sport. My mother has always been there to support us, despite her busy schedule. Basketball has become more than just an after-school activity, it has become a lifestyle.
“In France, to get to a certain level, you must choose between education and basketball. In the United States, I found an ideal balance to pursue my two passions at a high level–which is important, because my dream job is to become a sports journalist.”
Going to the United States was the best option for me, because my mother asked me to continue my studies. She always told me “No book, no ball!”
Another illustration of the differences I’ve experienced between the two countries:
In France (STAPS), the status of student-athlete is less recognized and less mediatized.
In the United States (NCAA Division I), student-athletes benefit from increased recognition, sports scholarships and media exposure.
I followed my career at COB Calais in France, then obtained my literary baccalaureate. After starting my studies in STAPS, I changed course due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to the United States. I spent two years in Juco, one year in Kansas (Northwest Tech) and one year in Texas (Odessa College), obtaining a GPA of 4.0. Currently, I am an NCAA Division 1 student-athlete at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania, fulfilling a dream.
My departure to the United States was motivated by my mother’s desire to see her child succeed both academically and athletically. This opportunity allowed me to engage in basketball while continuing my studies consistently. It was a transformative experience that allowed me to develop my basketball skills and get a quality education. The United States has opened doors to realize my dreams in both areas, and I am grateful to my mother for her support and vision.
The Sports Diplomacy Connection
I’ve had the opportunity to represent Mali at the international level, including especially at the Fiba U17 World Cup. On American hardcourts, it is a real honor to represent France and Mali while striving to become the best version of myself, both on the sporting and academic level.
Photo: Fanta Daffe.
I am a French woman who came to Saint Francis University in NCAA Division I. Representing this university in basketball is an honor, and I love the balance between sport and studies. Saint Francis University is my second home, and I am grateful for this opportunity to live my dream as a student-athlete in the United States. It’s an incredible experience.
But it is also an adjustment. In France, when I was a student and at the training center (COB), I had a schedule focused on classes, with less sporting and media obligations.In the United States, in NCAA Division I, I live a hectic life, between classes, practices (lift, conditioning, recovery, treatment, workout...), media, and often enjoys greater visibility. These differences influence a student-athlete’s life and the level of competition they experience, as well as their status and resources available for sport and study.
I also engage in different types of sports diplomacy. For example, I share cultural and geographical elements of France and Mali with my American teammates, and answer their questions about our customs and history. I tell them that they are really in very good conditions compared to Mali. And in France I tell them that the academic level is very high compared to the U.S. I’ve also explained what it meant to represent Mali at FIBA U17, emphasizing national pride and the opportunity to represent my mother country.
But the exchanges within sports diplomacy are a two-way street. This past summer, I interviewed NBA player Zion Williamson during his Paris visit with All Parisian Games, which works to unite the basketball community around Paris’ 19th arrondissement and organizes U17-U20 competition festivals. That interview helped me understand American players' views on basketball and strengthen our ties by sharing similar experiences.
Fanta (front row, left) and All Parisian Games welcome Zion Williamson. Photo Credit: Fx Rougeot for All Parisian Games
Mapping the Connection
From Les Ulis, France to Loretto, Pennsylvania
How to Cite this Entry
Daffe, Fanta. “Voices: Fanta Daffe,” FranceAndUS, https://www.franceussports.com/voices/037-fanta-daffe. (date of consultation).