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Ariik Has Come a Long Way
3/6/2025 6:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Doreen Ariik's path to Dartmouth has been anything but ordinary. From picking up basketball just before high school in Nairobi, Kenya, to becoming a leader for the Big Green, her story is one of perseverance, transformation and the unwavering support of a coaching staff that has helped her navigate the challenges along the way.
A Leap of Faith into Basketball
Growing up as the oldest of six in a single-parent household, Ariik knew early on that pursuing higher education would be a challenge.
"I come from a really big family," she said. "I'm the oldest of six, and my mom's a single mom, so we knew early on it would be really hard for her to fund higher education."
Despite the odds, Ariik's path took an unexpected turn when she met Jacob Burke, a philanthropist dedicated to helping South Sudanese youth.
"We had heard about someone who had helped a bunch of South Sudanese boys come to the U.S. and get a higher education," she recalled.
Burke's connection to her family would soon change the course of her life.
"We were able to connect because he had helped one of my second cousins, who is now pursuing aviation in Arizona," Ariik explained. "He also is good friends with [former NBA star] Luol Deng, who is from South Sudan. They met through basketball and their efforts to help others."
Burke's involvement went beyond guidance; he became Ariik's legal guardian, allowing her to pursue opportunities in the United States.
"In order for him to help kids the way he does, and fund them financially in the United States, he has to take legal guardianship," Ariik shared.
It wasn't long before Burke recognized Ariik's potential on the basketball court.
"He visited me at home and we did a few basketball drills," Ariik recalled. "He saw how tall I was at the time, around 6-foot-2, but I hadn't really played basketball to that point."
While basketball wasn't initially part of the plan, Ariik's future began to take shape.
"I would play pickup with a bunch of random people," she said. "The equivalent of the YMCA here, but it wasn't anything official."
Her involvement grew, and with the guidance of her guardian and other mentors, she found her way into high school basketball.
Ariik attended three different high schools — The Knox School (Long Island), Life Center Academy (New Jersey), and Northfield Mount Herman (Massachusetts) — where she quickly adapted to competitive play.
"So many people start at a young age, basically born holding a basketball," she said. "I was very lucky to get really cool coaches, who taught me fundamentals. I would be in the gym for many hours. I was getting better and began getting recruited by colleges."
Dartmouth came into the picture towards the end of Ariik's sophomore year of high school. By then, her journey from pickup games to college recruitment had already begun, thanks to the people who believed in her potential.
Finding Home at Dartmouth
Dartmouth entered the picture during her junior year of high school when assistant coach Kelcie Rombach first connected with her. But what truly solidified her decision was the sense of family she felt within the program.
"The cultural shock, being jet lagged, being homesick and all that stuff was difficult at first," Ariik recalled. "But I found people to really connect with here, where I felt at home."
Gail Koziara Boudreaux '82 and Family Head Coach of Women's Basketball Linda Cimino, affectionately known as "Coach Cim," became more than just a coach. She became a mentor and a steady source of support.
"We bonded and connected from the first minute we met," Cimino said. "Doreen is one of the most kind-hearted, caring people I've ever met in my life, and the fact that she hasn't seen her family or her mom in about four years says a lot about her strength."
For Ariik, that kind of care meant everything.
"I know Coach Cim and the coaches here have my back; whatever you need, we've got you," she said. "It's been a few tough years, but this is supposed to be a space of fun, a space of community, a space of love."
That environment of trust and support is something the current coaching staff has worked hard to foster.
Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Leadership
The transition to college basketball wasn't easy for Ariik. Between injuries, homesickness and the challenges of balancing school with athletics, there were moments of doubt. But despite the setbacks, the support of the coaching staff kept her going.
"It was assistant coach Kelcie Rombach who began the talks and connected with me," Ariik said. "Over time, that relationship grew, and then Dartmouth officially offered me my junior winter in high school. Dartmouth, UIC, and Columbia became my top three choices, but I had really made a deep connection with the staff here at Dartmouth."
When she committed to Dartmouth, there were two coaching changes, including one before she even arrived on campus.
"At first, I was more committed to the people (coaches) than the place," she admitted. "So it was very difficult and frustrating. In those moments, it felt like, why stick around?"
But despite the challenges, Ariik discovered that Dartmouth was a place where she could be her authentic self and grow.
"It's a place that teaches people about paying it forward," she reflected.
When Coach Cim joined Dartmouth, Ariik quickly felt the strong, supportive bond between them.
"Coach Cim is not only a coach, but she also takes on the role of a mentor and friend," said Ariik. "She cares for me in the sense of asking about my family, something that's not very common, but the whole coaching staff does. I think they understand the feelings of being far from home, being homesick, so they look out for me."
Ariik's perseverance through the struggles paid off. As a junior, she averaged 6.8 points and a team-leading 8.9 rebounds per game, along with an Ivy League-best 1.7 blocks per game. But beyond her stats, it was her leadership that truly stood out.
"Sometimes, I feel like I project the things I want for this team so much on others," she admitted. "It has not been easy, but it's been awesome connecting with people at a different level. As a leader, you have to internalize and then see how everything's affecting other people. I try to be patient, and I try to be compassionate."
The Big Green's success came in part due to Ariik's leadership, particularly after a tough 75-43 loss to Stonehill.
"It was a game where everyone felt bad for themselves, but after that, you could tell how distraught people were about how they performed," Ariik recalled. "Checking out is not acceptable to people who believe in you. That was the game that really stayed with us."
Instead of spiraling, the team responded by winning five of its next six games.
A true sign of the program's growth.
A Commitment to People Over Place
Ariik's love for the game has always been rooted in relationships, something she sees reflected in Coach Cimino's leadership.
"In the past, there was almost a mentality of acceptance of 'this is as good as it gets,'" Ariik shared. "I think we lost a vision of always getting better. This year, having first-years who are bought in, and having upperclassmen who are also bought in, forced everyone to buy into the same belief that we can win games."
Ariik has made a lasting impact on the Dartmouth community, and her journey is far from over.
Coach Cimino expressed her admiration for Ariik's leadership.
"Doreen has this incredible ability to bring people together," she said. "She's a leader in every sense of the word—not just because of what she does on the court, but also because of how she makes people around her feel."
A Future of Possibilities
Off the court, Ariik is as determined as she is in the paint. Majoring in economics and minoring in studio art, she hopes to use her education to support her family.
"I hope to do a few more grad years, and I'm not sure where that will lead me," she said. "But I also hope to have a good job that can help me support my family. For all the support they've given me, they, too, deserve a chance at the opportunities I've been afforded."
As she looks to the future, one thing is clear. Dartmouth has left a lasting impact on her, just as she has on Dartmouth.
"Ariik came a long way to Dartmouth, and in the process, she found not only success but also a true sense of belonging," Cimino said. "Her story is one of perseverance and growth — both on and off the court."
A Leap of Faith into Basketball
Growing up as the oldest of six in a single-parent household, Ariik knew early on that pursuing higher education would be a challenge.
"I come from a really big family," she said. "I'm the oldest of six, and my mom's a single mom, so we knew early on it would be really hard for her to fund higher education."
Despite the odds, Ariik's path took an unexpected turn when she met Jacob Burke, a philanthropist dedicated to helping South Sudanese youth.
"We had heard about someone who had helped a bunch of South Sudanese boys come to the U.S. and get a higher education," she recalled.
Burke's connection to her family would soon change the course of her life.
"We were able to connect because he had helped one of my second cousins, who is now pursuing aviation in Arizona," Ariik explained. "He also is good friends with [former NBA star] Luol Deng, who is from South Sudan. They met through basketball and their efforts to help others."
Burke's involvement went beyond guidance; he became Ariik's legal guardian, allowing her to pursue opportunities in the United States.
"In order for him to help kids the way he does, and fund them financially in the United States, he has to take legal guardianship," Ariik shared.
It wasn't long before Burke recognized Ariik's potential on the basketball court.
"He visited me at home and we did a few basketball drills," Ariik recalled. "He saw how tall I was at the time, around 6-foot-2, but I hadn't really played basketball to that point."
While basketball wasn't initially part of the plan, Ariik's future began to take shape.
"I would play pickup with a bunch of random people," she said. "The equivalent of the YMCA here, but it wasn't anything official."
Her involvement grew, and with the guidance of her guardian and other mentors, she found her way into high school basketball.
Ariik attended three different high schools — The Knox School (Long Island), Life Center Academy (New Jersey), and Northfield Mount Herman (Massachusetts) — where she quickly adapted to competitive play.
"So many people start at a young age, basically born holding a basketball," she said. "I was very lucky to get really cool coaches, who taught me fundamentals. I would be in the gym for many hours. I was getting better and began getting recruited by colleges."
Dartmouth came into the picture towards the end of Ariik's sophomore year of high school. By then, her journey from pickup games to college recruitment had already begun, thanks to the people who believed in her potential.
Finding Home at Dartmouth
Dartmouth entered the picture during her junior year of high school when assistant coach Kelcie Rombach first connected with her. But what truly solidified her decision was the sense of family she felt within the program.
"The cultural shock, being jet lagged, being homesick and all that stuff was difficult at first," Ariik recalled. "But I found people to really connect with here, where I felt at home."
Gail Koziara Boudreaux '82 and Family Head Coach of Women's Basketball Linda Cimino, affectionately known as "Coach Cim," became more than just a coach. She became a mentor and a steady source of support.
"We bonded and connected from the first minute we met," Cimino said. "Doreen is one of the most kind-hearted, caring people I've ever met in my life, and the fact that she hasn't seen her family or her mom in about four years says a lot about her strength."
For Ariik, that kind of care meant everything.
"I know Coach Cim and the coaches here have my back; whatever you need, we've got you," she said. "It's been a few tough years, but this is supposed to be a space of fun, a space of community, a space of love."
That environment of trust and support is something the current coaching staff has worked hard to foster.
Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Leadership
The transition to college basketball wasn't easy for Ariik. Between injuries, homesickness and the challenges of balancing school with athletics, there were moments of doubt. But despite the setbacks, the support of the coaching staff kept her going.
"It was assistant coach Kelcie Rombach who began the talks and connected with me," Ariik said. "Over time, that relationship grew, and then Dartmouth officially offered me my junior winter in high school. Dartmouth, UIC, and Columbia became my top three choices, but I had really made a deep connection with the staff here at Dartmouth."
When she committed to Dartmouth, there were two coaching changes, including one before she even arrived on campus.
"At first, I was more committed to the people (coaches) than the place," she admitted. "So it was very difficult and frustrating. In those moments, it felt like, why stick around?"
But despite the challenges, Ariik discovered that Dartmouth was a place where she could be her authentic self and grow.
"It's a place that teaches people about paying it forward," she reflected.
When Coach Cim joined Dartmouth, Ariik quickly felt the strong, supportive bond between them.
"Coach Cim is not only a coach, but she also takes on the role of a mentor and friend," said Ariik. "She cares for me in the sense of asking about my family, something that's not very common, but the whole coaching staff does. I think they understand the feelings of being far from home, being homesick, so they look out for me."
Ariik's perseverance through the struggles paid off. As a junior, she averaged 6.8 points and a team-leading 8.9 rebounds per game, along with an Ivy League-best 1.7 blocks per game. But beyond her stats, it was her leadership that truly stood out.
"Sometimes, I feel like I project the things I want for this team so much on others," she admitted. "It has not been easy, but it's been awesome connecting with people at a different level. As a leader, you have to internalize and then see how everything's affecting other people. I try to be patient, and I try to be compassionate."
The Big Green's success came in part due to Ariik's leadership, particularly after a tough 75-43 loss to Stonehill.
"It was a game where everyone felt bad for themselves, but after that, you could tell how distraught people were about how they performed," Ariik recalled. "Checking out is not acceptable to people who believe in you. That was the game that really stayed with us."
Instead of spiraling, the team responded by winning five of its next six games.
A true sign of the program's growth.
A Commitment to People Over Place
Ariik's love for the game has always been rooted in relationships, something she sees reflected in Coach Cimino's leadership.
"In the past, there was almost a mentality of acceptance of 'this is as good as it gets,'" Ariik shared. "I think we lost a vision of always getting better. This year, having first-years who are bought in, and having upperclassmen who are also bought in, forced everyone to buy into the same belief that we can win games."
Ariik has made a lasting impact on the Dartmouth community, and her journey is far from over.
Coach Cimino expressed her admiration for Ariik's leadership.
"Doreen has this incredible ability to bring people together," she said. "She's a leader in every sense of the word—not just because of what she does on the court, but also because of how she makes people around her feel."
A Future of Possibilities
Off the court, Ariik is as determined as she is in the paint. Majoring in economics and minoring in studio art, she hopes to use her education to support her family.
"I hope to do a few more grad years, and I'm not sure where that will lead me," she said. "But I also hope to have a good job that can help me support my family. For all the support they've given me, they, too, deserve a chance at the opportunities I've been afforded."
As she looks to the future, one thing is clear. Dartmouth has left a lasting impact on her, just as she has on Dartmouth.
"Ariik came a long way to Dartmouth, and in the process, she found not only success but also a true sense of belonging," Cimino said. "Her story is one of perseverance and growth — both on and off the court."
The content you need: Doreen Ariik mic'ed up🎙️ #GoBigGreen | #TheFutureIsGreen | #YOURFutureIsGREEN🌲 pic.twitter.com/HCEeXYSpO7
— Dartmouth Women's Basketball (@DartmouthWBB) January 16, 2025
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