Yinka Dare

Yinka Dare (October 10, 1972 – January 9, 2004) was a Nigerian professional basketball player. A 7'1 1/2" (217 cm), 265 pound (120.2 kg) center, he played four seasons in the National Basketball Association. In 2004, Dare died at only 31 years of age after suffering a heart attack.

Early years

Born in Kano, Dare was discovered by Nigerian-born lawyer Lloyd Ukwu during a visit to Lagos in 1991. While Ukwu was driving, he noticed a very tall man sitting on a bench eating a bowl of food. When he asked him how tall he was, Dare said he didn't know.

Dare had previously spent most of his free time playing tennis, but soon picked up basketball for the first time.

High school/college career

Already in the United States, Dare played one season at Milford Academy High, a prep school in Connecticut. Subsequently, he played college basketball for George Washington University, where he excelled as a player under coach Mike Jarvis, also helping revive the basketball program. As a freshman in 1992–93, he led the Colonials to the NCAA Tournament round of 16 ('The Sweet 16'), the furthest they had ever advanced.