Beyond the Rings: NYU’s Eden Williamson Finds Purpose Through Team IMPACT

For New York University guard Eden Williamson, the student-athlete experience has been defined by a historic level of success. As a junior, she has already earned two NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship rings, and her team enters the 2026 postseason on a record-breaking 87-game winning streak. Yet, despite the accolades, Williamson believes the most significant part of her journey has happened away from the scoreboard.

Through a partnership with Team IMPACT—a nonprofit that pairs collegiate athletic teams with children facing serious illnesses—Williamson and her teammates have formed a life-changing bond with Amina, a 10-year-old battling sickle cell disease. This relationship has provided Williamson with a profound sense of perspective, teaching her that the most enduring memories of college sports are often the ones built on human connection rather than athletic statistics.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Amina was officially matched with the NYU Violets in the spring of 2024. Since then, she has become an integral part of the team, even traveling to Salem, Virginia, to support the squad during their 2025 national championship run. For Williamson, watching Amina navigate the challenges of a chronic blood disorder with a constant smile has redefined her understanding of strength.

• Perspective Shifting: Williamson notes that Amina’s bravery has taught the team not to sweat the small stuff.
• Shared Strength: The relationship is reciprocal; while the team provides Amina with a support network, she teaches the athletes how to find little wins even on their most difficult days.
• Community Building: The pairing has transformed the locker room into a space of total belonging, where athletes and their young teammate empower one another.

A Strategic Partnership for Empowerment

The bond between NYU and Amina is part of a larger strategic collaboration between the NCAA and Team IMPACT announced in late 2024. This initiative aims to foster long-term relationships that promote resilience and psychological well-being for both the children and the student-athletes involved.

By integrating these youths into the daily lives of college teams—from team meals to championship celebrations—the program creates an environment that combats the isolation often felt by children with serious medical conditions. For the athletes, it offers a hands-on lesson in empathy and leadership that serves as a vital component of their professional development.

From the Court to a Career in Healthcare

Williamson’s involvement with Team IMPACT has directly influenced her future career pursuits. Currently a pre-medical student with aspirations to become a physician’s assistant, she has taken on leadership roles within the organization, serving as a fellow and co-president of NYU’s campus chapter.

• Academic Integration: Her work with Amina provides real-world context to her medical studies, specifically regarding patient care and the social determinants of health.
• Leadership Development: Managing a campus chapter requires the same level of discipline and organization as balancing a championship basketball schedule.
• Professional Vision: Williamson sees her next move in healthcare as a purposeful act of shaping her future impact, using her platform as an athlete to advocate for others.

Conclusion: The Magic of Getting Involved

As she looks toward the 2026 postseason and her eventual graduation, Williamson encourages every student-athlete to push themselves outside their comfort zone and get involved in mentorship programs. She believes that once an athlete feels the magic of making a difference in a child’s life, they will realize that winning is only one part of a truly successful collegiate legacy.

The lessons of resilience, teamwork, and support that Williamson has learned from Amina will remain with her long after her final game, providing the clarity and confidence needed to excel in the medical field.