CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Internet basketball sensation Hansel Enmanuel announced on Instagram that he’s going to transfer and verbally commit to Austin Peay State University.
Enmanuel plans to leave Northwestern State and follow his former head coach, Corey Gipson, to Clarksville.
The 6-foot-6 guard went viral years ago for showcasing his skillset on the basketball court. What separates him from other players is the way he plays the game – with one arm.
According to ESPN’s Omar Raja, Enmanuel lost his left arm after a cinderblock wall collapsed and fell on top of him. He was trapped for hours, but the damage had been done. His arm had to be amputated.
Sports Illustrated reported that he was 6 years old at the time. Following the accident, Enmanuel decided to pick up the game of basketball as a hobby.
As the years went by, he documented the development of his skills by creating highlights of his play. His videos received more and more attention, which eventually led to him receiving a high school basketball scholarship in the United States.
Enmanuel traveled from the Dominican Republic to Kissimmee, Florida, where he played for Life Christian Academy. ESPN reported Enmanuel averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists per game during his time with Life Christian. Enmanuel was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school by 24/7 Sports.
After his recruiting process ended, he decided to attend Northwestern State to play college basketball for the Demons. Enmanuel received limited playing time while at Northwestern State, but he made the most of every opportunity. According to Sports Reference College Basketball, he averaged 1.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks and shot 54% from the field in 8 minutes per game.
Enmanuel joins a long list of Northwestern State transfers who have verbally committed to play for the Govs next season. Austin Peay men’s basketball will release a finalized 2023-24 roster later this summer.