1 min ago According to Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be ready to start the 2023-24 campaign. Why? "My life fell apart when Hansel's accident happened," the father told the Orlando Sentinel. However, through patience, we can persevere and reach our goals. Celtics player Marcus Smart went to school with Mason Cox. Northwestern State President Marcus Jones was instrumental in Enmanuel signing with the school in Natchitoches, Louisiana, because hes fluent in Spanish and helped assuage the concerns his Spanish-speaking parents had about his transition to college. Johns story is a testament to the human spirit and the power of determination. He dug down and he did it, Gipson said. grabbed the rebound and finished with a thunderous dunk. The truth is, the boys got game. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. He has shown that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. He vividly remembers the first time he tied his shoes. He practiced with the team every day, became a starter, and eventually became one of the best players on the team. Hansel Enmanuel. And then learning to do basketball tasks with one hand, like dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding and blocking shots. 4, but that didn't stop him from sharing the message -- just like the loss of his arm didn't stop his athletic dreams. Emmanuel later moved to Florida and became a big scorer in high school. With slightly over a minute to go, Emmanuel was fouled and made the first free throw. I was thinking: Its over for me.. He has to work twice as hard as his teammates to develop his skills and compensate for his physical limitation. The freshman with one arm was finally on the board. Enmanuel bolted from the corner toward the basket. May 1, 2023 3:02 pm CT. Once there, it didnt take long before crowds in Florida understood that the 16-year-old was a genuine star in the making. But he doesnt want anyones sympathy.. He has shown that physical limitation is not a barrier to success and that determination and hard work can overcome any obstacle. You can't give up.". 49:56. The 19-year-old Emmanuel, who lost his left arm just below his shoulder in a childhood accident, wound up scoring five points. Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. He drew interest from Memphis, among other colleges, and became an internet sensation last year for his highlight videos posted to social media. "God always has a purpose," Donato Domnguez told the Orlando Sentinel. And when they grabbed him by the waist, he got down and he did it. Hansel Enmanuel is a 19-year-old basketball player with one arm, and he hopes to one day be in the NBA. A layup, a free throw. It was a simple but meaningful gesture, a sign of the respect Henry said he has for Enmanuel, one competitor acknowledging another. "I was the one with him and when they had to amputate his arm, I felt like it was all over. Hansel Emmanuel Donato Domnguez, One-Armed Basketball Player, Receives First Division I Offer From HBCU. There were other options to consider. tournament, they may have a punchers chance: They won at now-No. In that game, he made a highlight-reel play when he grabbed the rebound off his own missed free throw, dunking the ball to send almost everyone in attendance into raptures. 2 recruit Holland decommits from Texas, Butler transfer Lukosius commits to Cincinnati, New Big Ten boss Petitti ready to lead 'new era', Penn's Dingle, top Ivy League player, to transfer, Utah Valley's Bandaogo entering transfer portal, Memphis' Hardaway hires Stansbury as assistant, Men's college basketball rosters: Comings and goings for 2023-24, Everything you need to know about "The Bag Game," a podcast on college hoops' bribery scandal, Supplemental Privacy Policy for Singapore. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. A wall collapsed while the young Hansel was climbing it, leaving the child's arm trapped and eventually requiring amputation below the shoulder. It was probably a month after I got to know him you could see he was locked in on basketball, Sharp said. Thats because every time I fall (that) happened., That time was too hard for me, he said. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. But playing time is doled out on merit, and he had difficulty getting on the court early in the season. But he has shown flashes of the skills that made him famous before he stepped on campus. Gipson and Enmanuels teammates understand the interest in him is amplified because hes missing an arm. The main thing and I think weve held true on this is they did not want their son to be treated as a number or as someone who would be exploited because he was popular on social media, Jones said. He pointed to scar after scar after scar down the length of the leg of an internet sensation, a one-armed basketball player for Northwestern State who stands 6-foot-6. The scars piled up. Donato Domnguez moved to the United States in late 2020 to play basketball at Life Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Fla. The answer: they're cheering Mason Cox, a Texan who stands nearly 7 feet tall; ranks among the best footy players out there; and might be the most unlikely success story in global sports today. We had an opportunity to talk about the university and what they wanted to see happen to their to their son, Jones said. Referring to the accident as a blessing, Donato Domnguez explained: God always has a purpose. Enmanuel seems to have fans everywhere he goes, often young boys and girls whove watched his highlights on the internet for years. Northwestern State tweeted video of the slam, with the caption: "Drop the , Hansel! Cedric Garrett was a fan of Enmanuels long before he became his teammate at Northwestern State. It was in high school, at the Life Christian Academy at Florida, where his Internet fame really took off, and the guard now has over 4 million followers on Instagram and TikTok combined. 0:04. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke), Hansel Enmanuel, a freshman guard from the Dominican Republic for Northwestern State, practices dunks during warm-ups before an NCAA college basketball game against Rice Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Houston. Enmanuel lost his left arm in a childhood accident and has attained the talent and skill to play at the college level. With reports now confirming that high school basketball standout Hansel Emmanuel has committed to play college basketball at Northwestern State, its now only a matter of time before we get to see the one-armed prodigy on an even bigger stage. Tennessee State has also signed Hercy Miller, the son of hip-hop legend Master P. One-armed prep hoops star gets first D-I offer, Zags, Vols have gained spots in men's WTE Top 25, Calipari thanks Bryants for package honoring Gigi, 2023 No. "I know my family was proud. He was trapped beneath the rubble for nearly two hours until his father, a former professional basketball player, rescued him. When you see him on the floor, you just see a formidable force that doesnt take anything for granted.. 1 min ago According to Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be ready to start the 2023-24 campaign. But, above all those things, Hansel Enmanuel is an inspiration. Enmanuel in high school, playing for Life Christian Academy. FILE - Life Christian Academy's Hansel Emmanuel Donato gets ready to shoot against Wilbraham and Monson during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Jan. 17, 2022, in Springfield, Mass. It was a dark time for Enmanuel and his family. I had to keep working. Northwestern States president, Marcus Jones, was also on the call, easing Enmanuels mothers concerns in Spanish, which he speaks fluently. WebBook Now GET IN THE GAME By Kevin Atlas Be inspired by the story of Kevin Atlas (formerly Laue), whose faith and perseverance helped him become an NCAA Division I basketball player, despite being born with only one arm. You remember everything [from the accident] because a blow like this is not forgotten, so quickly regardless of all that he is achieving, thanks to God, he said. Its not about Hansel, Gipson said. The loss of his left arm was the result of an accident during a game with friends. RELATED: Russell Westbrook Couldnt Dunk Until He Was a Senior in High School. This widget requries the Arqam Lite Plugin, You can install it from the Theme settings menu > Install Plugins. No one really expected much from him on the court; even his father, who played professional basketball in the Dominican Republic, had trouble envisioning success after such a loss. He played for his schools varsity team and was named the teams captain in his senior year. Zach Hodskins was born without the lower half of his left arm because of a birth defect, which would seem to make a basketball career impossible. Every time Donato touched the ball Wednesday night in a Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions Hansel Enmanuel, a one-armed high school basketball player, announced Saturday that he is committed to Northwestern State, according to On3 Recruits. Hansel Emmanuel Donato, the 6-foot-5 internet sensation who plays basketball with one arm, received a scholarship offer from Tennessee State University on Thursday. Slowly, things got better for the little boy dealing with an unimaginable loss. The second transfer portal window officially closed on Sunday, meaning that any players who enter the portal following this point, will not be eligible for next season. John received a full athletic scholarship to play basketball at a Division I college. A year ago, Isaac Haney was on the Missouri State team bus having a spirited debate with a teammate over the same question. Four days allows you to hit both upper and lower body twice. Earlier this season, the Demons were whizzing through an N.C.A.A. That upped his tallies to five points for the night, leaving the audience in awe of the 6-foot-6 guard's spectacular performance. If they reach the N.C.A.A. 4:29 pm ET, Big 12 eyes multi-year deal for Mexico-based events, Ranking college basketball's top 45 transfers of 2023, Miami (Ohio) WBB coach resigns after investigation, Texas joins Top 25 And 1 after landing Abmas, Five-star prospect Ron Holland decommits from Texas, No. Enmanuel pesters opponents with his constant defensive activity. Theyre after Hansel for how he plays., There were most definitely questions about his priorities when Enmanuel arrived, said Sharp, the teams standout point guard. He's incredible. OCyrus Torrence (G), 6-5, 330, Florida Scouting report: Long arms, strong hands and a ton of experience. It was amputated just below the shoulder. 10 jersey hangs from the rafters of Dukes Cameron Indoor Stadium. Sometimes, we may feel entitled to something we desire and have worked hard for, only to realize that we are not ready to receive it at the moment. 10 overall on the list and No. Johns coach has also been supportive and has made adjustments to accommodate his physical limitation. And that may suit Enmanuel just fine. Born in the Dominican Republic, Emmanuel was 6 when a pile of cinderblocks fell on him. As such a physical guard, he has also increased his free throw attempts per game every year as well. None of my family. Interestingly, other reports suggested that Emmanuel also considered playing for the Overtime Elite, an Atlanta-based basketball league that describes itself as an organization which is providing the worlds most talented young basketball players a better pathway to becoming professional athletes. Ultimately, the guard who is currently a senior at Life Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida committed and he we are. One accommodation has been enlisting Christian Paez, a Colombia native and honor student who has played saxophone in the schools jazz orchestra, as a graduate assistant with the team, helping ease Enmanuels integration. When the accident happened, I was thinking, like: What am I going to do now? Enmanuel told The Associated Press in December in the only print interview he has done this season. A move to a bigger university will bring with it more eyes on him and his play. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. The coach has heard the inevitable tongue-clucking from other coaches that signing Enmanuel was merely a publicity stunt. Dylan Callaghan-Croley. The freshman with one arm was finally on the board. Emmanuel was six when doctors had to amputate his left arm after a pile of cinder blocks fell on him. First Degree Vs Second Degree: A Comparison. Enmanuels duty is to provide energy through his play and his smile. John hopes to continue playing basketball at the college level and eventually play professionally. I was thinking: Its over for me.. Gipson left his post at Northwestern earlier in March to take up a vacant head coach role at another university. Im diving into Hansels mind here, said Gipson, who is trying to organize several exhibition games for his team in the Dominican Republic this summer. He was hospitalized for about six months. tournament ambitions. Everyone except himself. I was trying. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him., Gardiner Sisters Sing Awe-Inspiring Rendition of Angels We Have Heard On High, Dads And Daughters Inspires With Powerful Words Of Affirmations, After 63-Years Of Togetherness This Couple Died Holding Their Hands On The Hospital Bed, Step Dad Breaks Down Into Tears When He Reads Emotional Card From Stepson, Unbeatable Spirit Armless Young Boy Does All His Routines, Families Who Lost Everything In A Fire Gets A Christmas Miracle. Enmanuel, 18, has over four m What made their exchange so extraordinary, though, was just how ordinary it was no mollycoddling or mincing of words, just a coach letting a freshman know that he expects more from him. He looked up at me with this distraught look on his face going, Man, this is hard, Haney said. Yeah, I can be a positive.. Ohio State's Donovan Jackson celebrates after a big play (Photo: Scott Taetsch, Getty) The Buckeyes just had an offensive lineman taken No. Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it This was true even at a 2021 summer recruiting showcase near Indianapolis, when coaches in the Big Ten, Big 12 and Mountain West sat in folding chairs along the court and marveled at how capably Enmanuel played even as they were skeptical that he could play for their teams. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. When I came to the airport and went to a fast-food place, I knew how to order, but I was afraid to mess up and have people laugh at me, Paez said. It fell over him, bricks and blocks pinning his left arm. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. I was like, never mind, Im going to start, he said. Discover his story here. This was a bit of a head-scratching pick at the end of Round 4. "I didn't know I would be who I am right now.". Tennessee State could potentially be getting a scintillating talent. It was electric, he said. Despite having only one arm, Donato Domnguez can dunk over defenders, cross them out of their shoes or splash pull-up three-pointers in their face with ease. And a minute later Saturday night, the 198-centimeter-tall guard provided the most defining moment of the Paez doesnt know much about basketball, but he knows what its like to drop into small-town Louisiana when your English is a work in progress. If there is one thats clear its that, as tragic as that moment was, it clearly did nothing to stop the young prospect from fighting tooth and nail to become what he is today, which in case youre wonder a 3-star recruit and the 22nd-ranked high school prospect out of Florida, according to 247Sports. 7 at Life Christian to give God credit for his skills. He became an internet sensation through dunk videos while he excelled at Life Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Fla. Hansel Emmanuel Donato, the 6-foot-5 internet sensation who plays basketball with one arm, received a scholarship offer from Tennessee State University on Thursday. He played high school ball in Kissimmee, Florida, and was considered a top prospect as a senior, when he averaged 25.9 points, 11 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 3.4 blocks per game. This year, Zach Edey learned all about what greatness entails as a college player, because he became the nation's best. Speaking about the two prospects that he has under his roof, Michell couldnt hide his excitement. Hansel Emmanuel is a talented high school basketball player who lost his arm in an accident at age six, but thanks God for the power to exceed the different challenges he faces in life. He has high goals, too. And a minute later Saturday night, the 6-foot-6 guard provided the most defining moment of the game - a thunderous dunk in a 91-73 win over Louisiana-Monroe. This is the perfect split for high school and college aged athletes. I think there's always room to grow and the skies the limit for a kid like him. Yeah, I can be a positive. He was trapped for 2 hours and by the time they got to the hospital, it was too late and his hand needed to be amputated. For a basketball player, you should be shooting for a two or four day training split. He wrote "blessed to receive my first DI offer Thursday night from Tennessee State University" on Instagram, where he has more than 600,000 followers. He just wants to play. The athletes are now hired guns, no longer playing for the love of the game and their school. He drew interest from Memphis, among other colleges, and became an internet sensation last year for his highlight videos posted to social media. His discomfort, those around him believe, comes from being the center of attention when he is not the star as he was in high school. Incidentally, his father was a professional basketballer in the Dominican Republic at the time and so he had support. He was 2 of 3 from the field and 1 of 5 from the foul line, along with two rebounds in eight minutes. Sometimes coaches second-guess themselves and what theyre looking at, said Rick Catala, who coached Enmanuel for SOH Elite, a club team based in Pembroke Pines, Fla. Ive seen Hansel destroy high-major kids, but then theyre still questioning him. This was a bit of a head-scratching pick at the end of Round 4. That mindset translates to the game. Enmanuel did not arrive until school started in late August, missing summer workouts and the opportunity to get to know his teammates, the coaches terminology and the nuances of their schemes. Jones hosted Enmanuel and his parents for breakfast during his recruiting visit. While other players have come and gone, Zinter has been the mainstay of an offensive line that will contend for a third consecutive Joe Moore Award in 2023. The only difference is Ive got one arm but thats not different., Hansel Enmanuel, a freshman guard from the Dominican Republic for Northwestern State, practices dunks during warm-ups before an NCAA college basketball game against Rice Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Houston. A few moments later, Corey Gipson, Enmanuels coach at Northwestern State, pulled him aside to deliver an indelicate truth: Enmanuel should have dunked it, but he had shied away from the contact. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. After all, he is someone who moved to the United States not even three years ago, aged 16, speaking almost no English at all. When Hansel Enmanuel was just 6 years old, a wall collapsed and fell on top of him. 209 overall player for his class (2022), per On3. The damage was so severe, doctors had to amputate his arm. The Demons (8-2) were well on the way to their seventh straight win when Emmanuel started to drive toward his first points. His talent has gained him a large social media following, and hes been featured on ESPN. The Dominican Republic native plays football for Life Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida, lost his arm in a tragic accident at the age of six. Enjoy live and on-demand online sports on DAZN. The 1952 National College Basketball Player of the Year, Groats retired No. I cant let them down., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The Inspiring Story Of A One Arm Basketball Player In College. On Sunday, Enmanuel told On3 Recruiting that he is committing to Northwestern State for college. He smoothly cut to the hoop for his layup with 2 1/2 minutes left. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. How much money can college athletes make with NIL marketing endorsement deals? He missed the second shot, but corralled a loose ball just beyond the foul line, took one dribble and threw down a high-flying dunk. He was trapped beneath the rubble for nearly two hours until his Enmanuel was 6 and living in the Dominican Republic when he playing with friends, climbing a wall. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. When will the College Football playoff format expand to 12 teams. survey for college athletes, eager to get out the door. The LCA Lions beat the Rabun Eagles 66-63. Hansel is a very resilient person, which makes him a very resilient player, Gipson said. The 6-5 hooper from the Dominican Republic earned his first NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Tennessee State, an HBCU, on Thursday. ", March Madness 2023, NCAA Final Four preview: Full schedule & how to watch live. Im not different than nobody. It never has been. At a recent game against Rice, three elementary-aged boys screamed his name and waved as he warmed up near them. The slam made it 89-70 and brought Emmanuel's teammates and the crowd of 1,627 to their feet again for an even longer cheer. When Bridgerton actor Priya Kansara first read the script for the action-comedy film Polite Society, she thought it was kind of bonkers, but knew immediately that she wanted to be part of it. But hes saying to himself: Why are you interviewing me? He smoothly cut to the hoop for his layup with 2 1/2 minutes left. WebFresno State ranked eighth in the Mountain West in team travel in 2021-22, spending $574,743. Enmanuel was 6 and living in the Dominican Republic when he playing with friends, climbing a wall. The reaction people have had to Enmanuel playing college basketball has overwhelmed Jones. These guys are something else, not because they are Dominican or because I am training them, but the dedication and how they perform on the court has led us all to give 200 percent, he said. When Enmanuel moved to Florida, where his mother had immigrated years earlier and he also hoped better opportunities awaited, he more than held his own on the court. You remember everything [from the accident] because a blow like this is not forgotten, so quickly regardless of all that he is achieving, thanks to God.". It was an example of the tension that sometimes exists between his basketball and business interests. The 1952 National College Basketball Player of the Year, Groats retired No. "One important lesson that I have learned in my life as a student-athlete is the value of patience," Enmanuel wrote in a statement shared on his Instagram account. At age six, Hansel Emmanuel Donato Domnguez had his left arm amputated after a wall collapsed on it. "As I enter the transfer portal, I am reminded of the power of patience. I had to keep working. 10 jersey hangs from the rafters of Dukes Cameron Emmanuel had played in four previous games for the Demons this season, shooting 0 for 2 with one rebound. By the time he was rescued, it was too late to save his arm. Hansel Emmanuel is a talented high school basketball player who lost his arm in an accident at age six, but thanks God for the power to exceed the different challenges I had to keep going after the layup -- that was my first bucket, Emmanuel said in a quote posted on the Southland Conference school's website. You can't give up.". FaithPotsharespositive Christian news stories,uplifting storiesabout faith, kindness, heroes andinspirational Christian musicvideos. His contract with Adidas runs through the 2025-26 season. So did Tennessee State and Bethune-Cookman, historically Black universities that would have provided a unique platform. Northwestern State is a Divison 1 school apart of the Southland Conference and is located in Natchitoches, Lousiana. It was important, Gipson said, that Enmanuel fit in as well off the court as he might on it. And how many other college players have collected 1.4 million Instagram followers, walked the red carpet at the ESPYs, or taken a star turn in a sports drink commercial broadcast during last years N.B.A. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He has started the past three games, his activity defensively and on the boards providing an energetic presence while he better remembers his assignments. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP), Were going to make it to the NBA, he said. The freshman with one arm was finally on the board. The former four-star quarterback only played in one game as a true freshman for Purdue. Notable celebrity and newsmaker deaths of 2023, Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot, known for The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, dies at 84, Iron Girl, indeed. Enmanuel lost his left arm in a childhood accident and has attained the talent and skill to play at the college level. It requires a lot of practice and determination to master the skills needed to play the sport at a competitive level. After playing only sporadically and missing several weeks with a concussion, he has earned more playing time of late. Those deals, unsurprisingly, are contingent on him seeing on-court action. ", Brandon Jenkins, a scout for 24/7 Sports, told the station: "It's a testament to his work ethic and how good he is and special he is. "'It's over for me.'". During a recent game, the 6-foot-3-inch 8th grader from Washington, Iowa, stole the ball, ran down the court and threw down a monster dunk. "He's been a sensation on social media," said Ricardo Catala, his AAU coach. Playing for his Demons team, 19-year-old Hansel Emmanuel produced the most defining moment in their win over Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at the weekend when he dribbled past two defenders and finished with a powerful dunk. I am living His mission, what He wants me to do in this life. His 121.9 Offensive Rating wouldve been first on the Illini for players playing more than 200 minutes. Yet, having already been through the childhood trauma of losing his arm, that was just another challenge to overcome. It is unlocked by beating Mr. Hammer. The Demons (8-2) were well on the way to their seventh straight win when Emmanuel started to drive toward his first points. With an average of 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists per game it shouldnt be hard to see why. He joined the TSU basketball team just like any other freshman in 1943. On Dec. 10 against Louisiana-Monroe, Enmanuel scored the first points of his collegiate career, finishing with five points. It is physical evidence of a grim time etched deep, a lifelong reminder of a journey that has brought him to Division I basketball. Enmanuel seemed nonplussed when asked about that day. 10 overall on the list and No. Aug 13, 2021. Now you can watch the entire NBA season or your favorite teams on streaming. Just 7, Enmanuel was waiting in his room for his mother to do it for him but she was busy cooking. And yet Enmanuel is drawing attention to his teams program an inspirational tale itself. That visibility has been mostly recent, after he moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic less than three years ago speaking little English. However, imagine playing basketball with only one arm. December 12, 2022 / 2:40 PM If you watch when I made my first college points, I was trying to get back to defense, he said. They didnt want him to be treated as a number and just as a showpiece.. Im not special, he said. All Rights Reserved. Corum was ranked No. Gipson, who is also in his first year at Northwestern State, shared a story from early in camp that perfectly illustrated that point. While other players have come and gone, Zinter has been the mainstay of an offensive line that will contend for a third consecutive Joe Moore Award in 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) (Michael Wyke / AP). Now, 11 years later, Donato Domnguez is miraculously following his fathers athletic footsteps. When he dribbled between two defenders for a stylish layup, most everyone in the gym joined them. He arrived late because he was fulfilling his endorsement obligations. Nobodys asking for entitled treatment, but, dadgum, if Hansel is not asking for any favors, nobody else better ask for any.. Volume 100% 00:00 02:01 Michael Wyke By Ben Schamisso Facebook Share Tweet Email SMS January 2, 2023 Hansel Enmanuel is a social media sensation, turning heads on and off the basketball court. I am willing to wait and trust the process, even if it means waiting an entire season to achieve my goals.". "Success cannot be achieved overnight, and it is common to experience frustration and disappointment along the way. His thee point percentage has risen each year in college, and his free throw percentage has increased since his sophomore year as well. Real Madrid on alert. Such an inspiration he is to everyone around him with his ever positive attitude.