Following the successful recruitment of Dikembe Mutombo in 1987, Georgetown teams of the 1990's often featured African emigrants in search of the next NBA star. While no one quite matched up to Mutombo, some made significant steps forward in their careers while at Georgetown. Such was the case of Cheikh Dia, a native of Senegal who settled in Frederick, MD and joined the Hoyas in the fall of 1993.

Dia was the classic "project" player. Despite his 6-9, 230 lb. build, Dia averaged only three points a game as a senior at St. John's Prospect Hall, and was not expected to be an major contributor at Georgetown. Known more for his defensive abilities, Dia played in 77 games over his first three seasons, averaging 2.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, blocked 51 shots, and averaged just under 10 minutes per game, all in a reserve role. But upon the graduation of Othella harrington and Jerome Williams in 1996, Dia was elevated into the starting lineup and responded in a big way.

The 1996-97 season is best remembered by Hoya fans as Victor Page's team, but Dia's production cannot be easily ignored. Dia scored in double figures in 10 games and double figure rebounds in 13 games, including a 10 point, 14 rebounds effort versus Notre Dame, a 13 point, 14 rebound game against Boston College, and a 10 point, career high 18 rebound effort versus Rutgers, the most by any Hoya since Alonzo Mourning's 22 rebound effort versus Hawaii-Hilo in 1991. Alongside future NBA center Jahidi White, Dia nonetheless led the Hoyas in rebounding in 20 of its 30 games that season, averaging 11 rebounds per game in Big east play, one of the top averages for any Georgetown center in the Big East era, and finished third on the team in scoring.

The team captain his senior and recipient of the Daly Memorial Award for its most valuable player, Dia was named the 1997 Big East Scholar Athlete of the Year in men's basketball, the first and only Georgetown player so awarded.

Following graduation in 1997, Dia was able to enjoy a 12 year career in basketball overseas, beginning with the 1998 Senegalese national team and playing on professional teams in Uruguay, Argentina, Australia, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.