The story of Hansel Emmanuel Donato, the young basketball player who lost an arm and dreams of playing in the NBA

The presence of LeBron James e De Mar De Rozan 10 days ago, e Bring the young people This weekend, they focused American basketball’s attention on the Drew League, a preseason championship held in Los Angeles since 1973 in which professional and amateur players compete. Among the splendor provided by the NBA stars, the presence of Hansel Emanuele Donatoa Dominican teenager whose left arm was amputated as a child and is about to begin his journey in college basketball.

Donato made an impact on Saturday with some high profile plays in the game that BB4L, the team he was invited to play on from former base Baron Davis (played 13 seasons in the NBA), lost 77-71 to the Saints. A few hours later, Northwestern State University in Louisiana announced that it had signed up a letter of intent with the 18-year-old playmaker to join his group, the Demons.

“He is a fierce competitor. We were impressed with the way you run your business and your preparation. It does not relax for a second, not a minute, not a means, not a possession. Each plays as if it were the last. It’s a blessing for us to have someone with that mindset, “he praised. Corey Gibsonfirst year coach of the Demons.

Donato averages 25.9 points, 11 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 3.4 blocks per game for Kissimmee’s Life Christian Academy, which he joined in January 2021 after being recruited by Moses Michaelwho was impressed to see some videos on social networks of that teenager who dazzled in the Dominican Republic.

What is striking is that Hansel Emmanuel, son of former Dominican basketball player Hansel Salvador Donato, started practicing this sport as soon as he lost his left arm. It happened in 2010, when he was six, and he had an accident near his home, in the Los Mina neighborhood of Santo Domingo Este: an old wall collapsed on his body as he tried to climb it with his friends. The weight of the wall caused severe tendon injuries in the left arm, which was amputated just below the shoulder.

“At first I couldn’t have a glass, tie my shoelaces, wear my clothes,” recalled Hansel Enmanuel in a short documentary produced by ESPN. “He was asking Me questions: ‘Dad, when will my arm grow? why do they have their two arms and I don’t? ‘ But he was also the one who gave me strength. I cried and he asked me to stay calm”, Says the father.

Until then, the boy, like so many Dominicans, spent his hours playing baseball. The operation forced him to give up the sport of batting, but it didn’t stop him from trying his luck at basketball. “In the beginning it was difficult, I lost my balance, I went sideways when I was running,” he recalled. However, that didn’t stop him. “At the age of 14 I saw that I was good at basketball,” he said.

Now 18 and after completing his higher education in Kissimmee (he graduated in May), he will move to Natchitoches to begin his American college basketball journey. Before opting for Northwestern State University, he turned down offers from the universities of Memphis, Tennessee State and Bethune-Cookman. “I’m looking forward to a great season. Thanks to all members of the NSU family who have given me a warm welcome. This is just the beginning”, The 1.98-meter point guard was thrilled.

Weekend, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers’ point guard, was one of the basketball players who congratulated him on his performance in the Drew League. “You’re showing what a real drive and love for the game can do! I have continued to inspire people all over the world! ”He wrote on his Twitter account along with a photo of the Dominican.

Beyond the fact that the great attention he has received in recent weeks has his anatomical condition as its axis, Donato wants to be judged by his level and not by his disability. “I want to show that I can compete. I am focused on reaching the next level, which is college (university basketball), the academic degree, and being selected in the NBA Draft. I was born to be successful”, He assured.