Kentucky State Community Rallies Around Detained Student-Athlete Aminata Seck

A Kentucky State University women’s basketball standout has been held in immigration custody for over a month, sparking an outpouring of support from the HBCU community as concerns mount over her medical needs and well-being.

Aminata “Mina” Seck, a 26-year-old center from Dakar, Senegal, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on August 7 at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, according to the Louisville Courier Journal. The 6-foot-4 player was traveling with the Thorobrettes to a tournament in New York when she was taken into custody after passing through airport security.

The situation has drawn heightened concern as Seck is managing an ACL injury that her attorney says needs proper treatment. Attorney Sadiqa Reynolds told the Courier Journal that Seck has struggled to receive consistent access to ice for the injury while detained and has experienced significant pain. While Seck has received medication, medical attention has been limited.

“She needs surgery. She needs medical attention,” Reynolds wrote in a social media post cited by the Courier Journal.

Coach Williams Leads Advocacy Effort

Kentucky State head women’s basketball coach Amani Williams has emerged as one of Seck’s strongest advocates throughout this ordeal. Williams recently issued a public call for support, asking the community to contribute toward legal expenses connected to the case.

For those unable to donate financially, Williams urged members of the Kentucky State and HBCU communities to write letters supporting Seck.

“Please share your personal experiences with Mina, speak to her character, and describe the positive interactions and impact she has had on you or others,” Williams wrote.

Reynolds praised Williams’s commitment to Seck, telling the Courier Journal that the coach has remained heavily involved since the detention.

“She has treated her like a mother would treat their child,” Reynolds said.

Williams expressed gratitude to supporters and used the hashtag #BringAminaHome, writing that “Every donation, letter, share, and kind word of support means so much right now.”

A Rising Star Sidelined

Since her detention, Seck has reportedly been transferred through multiple locations. The Courier Journal reported she had been held in facilities in Clay County, Chicago, Clark County and Grayson County.

Reynolds indicated that Seck may have missed a deadline related to her student visa paperwork while recovering from back surgery. ICE had not publicly provided the newspaper with a detailed explanation of the detention when the original report was published. Kentucky State declined to discuss specifics, citing privacy concerns.

Seck came to Kentucky State after playing at Langston University and developed into one of the Thorobrettes’ top players. Her on-court accomplishments, including Third-Team All-SIAC honors and the conference’s Elite 16 award for academic achievement, now seem distant as basketball has moved to the background.

Seck remains separated from her teammates and the HBCU community supporting her while her representatives continue seeking relief in her immigration case and access to treatment for her ACL injury. Williams and the Kentucky State community, meanwhile, have made their position clear: they want Mina home.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.