By Samera Eusufzai, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant
The Beginning
In the comforting garden of their family home, three young siblings compete in an intense game of soccer, in which Dieynaba and Colin are no match against their skillful elder brother, Hans. Per usual, Hans emerges victorious and per usual, Dieynaba cries at another painful loss against her brother.
Dieynaba Ndaw (affectionately known as JJ), a defender turned forward this past season for Duke women’s soccer, fondly recalled her first moments with the sport. Ndaw’s older brother, Hans, planted the initial seeds of her passion for soccer as their competitive dynamic was a driving force that propelled her to thrive in the sport.
“I probably cried every single day, because he beat me in every single thing we did,” Ndaw fondly said. “So it was definitely because of my older brother that I picked up a soccer ball really young.”
Despite her youthful tears, “He was an incredible mentor, I still look up to him,” said Ndaw. “And it was just really wonderful to see how he played very freely and very confidently.”
While Hans is no longer with us, Ndaw honors his memory as she improves and excels in her collegiate career. Ndaw also frequently competed with her younger brother, Colin, who shares her athletic prowess as he was recruited on scholarship to attend IMG Academy for basketball. Both Colin and JJ left home at 13 years old to attend IMG. Despite this independence gained from a young age, she maintains her familial values.
“I’m really, really, really close with my parents because I call them every single day,” said Ndaw. “And then when I do get to go home, I spend all [my] time with them. Just because I cherish those moments even more.”
Throughout her childhood, her parents “always made it very clear that being a good person was the number one thing in our household,” said Ndaw.
Ndaw attributes much of her success to her family’s support and maintains a profound respect for them, further demonstrating her humble nature. She consistently upholds the principles instilled in her by her parents and culture.
Ndaw’s Background
With a Dutch mother and a Senegalese father who both worked for the United Nations, Ndaw experienced a variety of cultures throughout her childhood. She lived in Mozambique, Italy, and Sudan before she returned to…
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