It could be one of the many signings that are made each season in American universities, however the case of Hansel Emmanuel It’s unique. The young Dominican will become the fourth one-armed player of the NCAA, the league through which the stars pass before reaching the NBA.
Emmanuel he lost his left arm when he was six when a concrete wall fell on him while he was trying to climb it with a friend. the dominican he was under the wall for more than two hours and the pressure of the weight destroyed the tendons of his arm so it had to be amputated.
During the first months, Emmanuel, as is logical, was emotionally devastated and did not feel like doing anything. “I didn’t want to do anything. I couldn’t tie my shoelaces, I couldn’t drink a glass of water».
Play with the best with one hand
The young Dominican before the accident I was already beginning to love basketball thanks to the fact that his father was a professional player, although mostly he played baseball and it was when he lost his limb that he began to try his luck at basketball. “At first it was difficult, I lost my balance, I went to the side when I ran.” However, Emmanuel continued with his determination to play basketball and he succeeded «At 14 years old I saw that he was good at basketball».
His father I didn’t want Emmanuel to play for the blows he could receive, however the progression of the young man was such that he competed one on one with the young people of his institute. Thanks to his good work, he was recruited for an academy in Florida at the age of 16, where he averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
Great NBA players have not overlooked what this young basketball fan is achieving. Kyre Irvingwho went to see him at a game or Damian Lillardwho dedicated a tweet to him, have been two of those who have highlighted Emmanuel’s exploits.
Besides the mythical Shaquille O’Neal He publicly declared his admiration for him: “I wish people understood how different Hansel Emmanuel is. He outplayed some of the best high school players with one arm.”
the dominican dreams of being the first player to play in the NBA with only one arm, something that can be closer and closer and he sees himself capable of achieving it. I want to show that I can compete. I am focused on reaching the next level, which is college basketball, graduating well academically and being selected in the NBA Draft. I was born to succeed”, he assured.
