He has started the past three games, his activity defensively and on the boards providing an energetic presence while he better remembers his assignments. Yet, the obvious question remains: How does a 64 combo guard who averages an impressive 25.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 3.4 blocks per game, do so with only one arm? By the end of his hospitalization, Enmanuel said his mental approach had improved thanks to his relationship with God. By the time he was rescued, it was too late to save his arm. Tall for his age 6 feet (1.83m) at 12 he began going to basketball camps in the U.S. By the time he moved to the country permanently, he was already an accomplished dunker of the ball. 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 would not cooperate, rolling off. He's a viral Internet star, a college student, an immigrant to the United States, and a Division I college basketball player. "I was thinking like 'What am I going to do now? Subscribe to our newsletter and get good news and positive Christian stories in your INBOX daily! Why have Angel Reese and the LSU womens basketball team refused the White House invitation? 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. 209 overall player for his class (2022), per On3. Omarion Henry, a freshman forward for New Orleans, popped Enmanuel on the chest with his fist as the teams went through a handshake line after the Privateers victory. He was trapped beneath the rubble for nearly two hours until his father, a former professional basketball player, rescued him. The 6-5 hooper from the Dominican Republic earned his first NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Tennessee State, an HBCU, on Thursday. 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. The worldwide basketball sensation, who lost his arm in a building accident as a young boy, is in Washington this week. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. As a freshman on Gipsons team, Enmanuel has seen limited minutes. 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. A public university with an enrollment of 9,389, serving mostly students in one of the nations poorest regions, Northwestern State is tucked away in a city that claims to beLouisianas oldest settlement. And yet Enmanuel is drawing attention to his teams program an inspirational tale itself. Hansel Enmanuel. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. 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. 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. His contract with Adidas runs through the 2025-26 season. I was like, never mind, Im going to start, he said. But as Enmanuel approached the basket with the ball palmed in his right hand, he recalibrated. However, imagine playing basketball with only one arm. Hansel Enmanuel is many things. 0:04. 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. Now, 11 years later, Donato Domnguez is miraculously following his father's athletic footsteps. The Demons (21-10), who were 9-23 last season, finished second in the Southland Conference this season with a 13-5 record, earning a spot in Tuesdays conference tournament semifinals. They have encouraged him to pursue his passion and never give up on his dreams. 4 recruit in Class of 2024, commits to Arizona, NBA announces 242 players declaring early for draft. He drew interest from Memphis, among other colleges, and became an internet sensation last year for his highlight videos posted to social media. It is physical evidence of a grim time etched deep, a lifelong reminder of a journey that has brought him to Division I basketball. Another aspiration is to one day become a motivational speaker so he can share his story. It wasnt the highlight-reel plays that piqued Northwestern State coach Corey Gipsons interest. 49:56. Enmanuel, 18, has over four m He averaged 9.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game last season with the Ducks. Born in the Dominican Republic, Emmanuel was 6 when a pile of cinderblocks fell on him. Fulham head coach Marco Silva has confirmed that Tim Ream is likely to miss the rest of the season after fracturing his arm in the defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. "'It's over for me.'". 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. Johns one arm basketball career is a remarkable story that will be told for years to come. If they reach the N.C.A.A. Enmanuel lost his left arm in a childhood accident and has attained the talent and skill to play at the college level. Will the LSU Tigers finally be going to the White House? "He's been a sensation on social media," said Ricardo Catala, his AAU coach. 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. Months after the accident, Enmanuel tried basketball, too. 10 overall on the list and No. Rated a three-star recruit out of high school, Enmanuel eventually found himself in Natchitoches at Northwestern State University. I had to keep working. Draining 3-pointers. I had to keep working. Excited like crazy.. Sharp, recognizing help was on the way, delivered a bounce pass to Enmanuel, who collected it in stride and vaulted toward the rim for what everyone on his team and everyone else in the small arena expected to be a stanchion-shaking dunk. 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. By 13, he started attending camps and tournaments in the United States andhe began to realize just how good he could be. As they did, Enmanuel remained behind, painstakingly using a translation app on his phone so he could diligently answer each question. The LCA Lions beat the Rabun Eagles 66-63. "I know my family was proud. Enmanuel lost his left arm in a childhood accident and has attained the talent and skill to play at the college level. Dylan Callaghan-Croley. She worked hard to develop new techniques and strategies that would enable her to play the game to the best of her abilities. 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. The native of the Dominican Republic lost his left arm aged 6, and yet has overcome everything in his way to become a potential NBA prospect. OCyrus Torrence (G), 6-5, 330, Florida Scouting report: Long arms, strong hands and a ton of experience. When you see him on the floor, you just see a formidable force that doesnt take anything for granted.. But God grabbed us and led us down this path. And then learning to do basketball tasks with one hand, like dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding and blocking shots. Enmanuel is a three-star prospect and the No. 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 has to work twice as hard as his teammates to develop his skills and compensate for his physical limitation. Boid Buie did. When Gipson told him he could do situps instead of fingertip push-ups as punishment for a mistake in a drill, Enmanuel resisted completing the task with the help of a teammate, Cedric Garrett, who supported him around the waist. Gipson and Enmanuels teammates understand the interest in him is amplified because hes missing an arm. Enmanuel, 19, is the only player in Division I mens college basketball with only one arm, relying instead on his other gifts: a rangy, 6-foot-6 frame; kangaroolike hops; and Corum was ranked No. His teammates and the crowd went wild. But seeing him do it in a college game was far more thrilling. 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. I look at Hansel and see a guy who has an unbelievable work ethic, but also a willingness to serve and a willingness to do the little things. 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. While Enmanuel has so far spent his college career in the quiet surrounds of sleepy Natchitoches, Louisiana, things could be about to change. grabbed the rebound and finished with a thunderous dunk. When he dribbled between two defenders for a stylish layup, most everyone in the gym joined them. Enmanuel has won the respect of his teammates and his opponents. Now, 11 years later, Donato Domnguez is miraculously following his fathers athletic footsteps. I was thinking: Its over for me.. He was trapped beneath the rubble for nearly two hours until his And they make sure to fist-bump everyone strangers, too when they leave a room, as they did on a recent morning after breakfast at Lasyones, a downtown Creole institution known for its meat pies. Emmanuels impressive stats include 26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists with 2.6 steals and 3.4 blocks per game. 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. Thats what really makes him an asset and invaluable to this team.. You can't give up.". But hes not somebody who is afraid.