N’faly Dante using N.I.L. money to help his family in Mali

During Tuesday’s press conference, Dana Altman couldn’t stop raving about center N’Faly Dante.

Just eight weeks removed from a knee surgery, Dante dominated against Utah on Saturday. He finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. While he missed a critical free throw in the 80-77 loss, Altman acknowledged they wouldn’t have been in the game without Dante.

“Dante played at another level,” Altman raved. “There’s playing to win and there’s playing. N’Faly Dante plays to win.”

As Dante gets back to dominating in the paint, his bigger purpose is clear.

“Building a house for my family,” the center said. “As long as my family is good, I’m good. But just got to do whatever I can for the people that have tried to help me and my family. Do anything for them.”