Who is Austin Peay’s Hansel Enmanuel? Meet the Governors’ one-handed basketball inspiration
Viral hoop fans may be familiar with Hansel Enmanuel. The one-armed basketball player is an internet sensation, a Division I hoopster and an inspiration. However, only a few know his story.
Born on October 24, 2003, Hansel Enmanuel Donato Domínguez is the son of Hansel Salvador Donato and Katia "Katy" Domínguez Pérez. He grew up together with his four siblings in Los Mina, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
He dreamt of playing professional baseball, but he encountered an unfortunate accident when he was six years old. While playing with his friends, he climbed a cinderblock wall, which fell over him. The bricks crushed his left arm and trapped him for two hours, requiring amputation below the shoulder. He spent the next six months in the hospital.
"When the accident happened, I was thinking like: 'What am I going to do now?' I was thinking: 'It's over for me,'" Enmanuel told the Associated Press in 2022.
Enmanuel found motivation in religion, claiming that his life-altering injury was a blessing in disguise. Enmanuel tried to play basketball after the injury, but his equilibrium was off and he often fell to the ground while running. However, he had a massive growth spurt at the age of 12, when he stood at six feet.
After attending several basketball camps and tournaments, he gradually realized his potential as a hooper. Learning to dunk at age 14, Enmanuel developed his game by improving his finishing ability, making flashy passes and exuding athleticism. He found fame in 2020 after mixtapes and videos of him went viral on the internet.
Enmanuel moved to the United States in January 2021 on a scholarship to play at Life Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida. Moisés Micael, the team’s head coach and his father’s former teammate saw his potential after watching his highlight videos.
Enmanuel's performance quickly gained attention on social media, especially after he averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds per game at the Orlando Winter Showdown.
As a senior, Hansel Enmanuel was rated as a three-star recruit after averaging 25.9 points, 11 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 3.4 blocks per game. He then received offers from Memphis, Bethune-Cookman and the Overtime Elite professional league, but he ultimately chose to commit to Northwestern State.
Hansel Enmanuel continues to inspire and amaze in his third collegiate year
The flashy dunks, 3-pointers, passes and athleticism were not lost on the 21-year-old guard, but Hansel Enmanuel struggled with playing time in his freshman season.
Enmanuel only saw the hardwood 20 times in his lone year with the Northwestern State Demons. He only averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 50 games, playing 8.2 minutes per game.
He then transferred to Austin Peay in his sophomore season, averaging 1.9 points and 2.8 rebounds across 30 games with an average of 14.8 minutes of playing time.
Now playing in his junior year, the 6-foot-6 guard saw an uptick in his production. In his season debut with the Governors, he poured eight points, eight rebounds, two assists and three steals in 20 minutes off the bench to help Austin Peay secure the 95-75 win over Union (TN) Bulldogs.
In the next two games, Enmanuel got the starting nod. He had a measly production in 17 minutes against the Butler Bulldogs, but he put up numbers in all statistical categories, contributing two points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The third-year Governor made a slight bounce-back performance last Monday night's game against Chattanooga for the Veteran's Day game. Hansel Enmanuel impressed the 2,655 crowd in the F&M Bank Arena, tallying five points, seven rebounds, and a steal in the team's 67-61 win over the Mocs.
With Enmanuel's increased playing time, the Governors are off to a good start. They have a 3-0 record to start the season, topping the Atlantic Sun Conference. They share the same record with the North Alabama Lions, but their record fares higher than Eastern Kentucky, Lipscomb, Kennesaw and Stetson.
Hansel Enmanuel and Co. face a tough test on Sunday as they visit No. 11 Tennessee at Knoxville. Afterward, they will visit Morehead State (Nov. 20) before playing in the 2024 Jacksonville Classic against Georgia State (Nov. 26) and UT Arlington (Nov. 27).