Question

Hansel Enmanuel Shoots Big
News: Eye On People

Hansel Enmanuel was having the kind of game a 19-year-old college basketball newbie dreams about. His team, the Demons of Northwestern State University in Louisiana, was facing off against the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks in December 2022. This was the fifth game Enmanuel played for the Demons. He had done nothing of note in the previous four. Now the lanky, 6-foot-6 first-year guard had the ball with two-and-a-half minutes left on the clock.

Undaunted, Enmanuel dribbled between two Warhawks and…swish!—he landed the first layup of his college career. Then, with little more than a minute to go, he was fouled, so he positioned himself at the free-throw line and nailed the first throw. He missed the second throw, but no matter—he recovered the ball and sank a soaring dunk as cheering broke out in the stands. In just eight minutes of play, Enmanuel scored five points, and clips of his big night aired on ESPN, CBS, and other sports news outlets.

Such a display of ability would be a major coup for any college athlete, but for Enmanuel, it was especially impressive because he has only one arm. He lost his left arm when he was a 6-year-old growing up in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He climbed up an old cinderblock wall that toppled and crushed his limb. Amputation below the shoulder was the only option.

"I couldn't do anything," Enmanuel said in an ESPN interview, recalling his post-surgical difficulties. "I needed help from everyone. I couldn't hold a glass to drink water or tie my shoelaces or dress myself."

The accident didn't diminish the boy's passion for sports, although it did mean giving up his first love, baseball, for good. "I started playing basketball when I was six, after the accident," recalled Enmanuel in the ESPN interview. "At first, it was hard. I'd lose my balance. Sometimes when I ran, I'd go sideways."

But Enmanuel persisted, regaining his balance and conquering adversity through sheer willpower. By age 14, Enmanuel was, in his own estimation "good at basketball" and clearly wanted the world to know, too: He started posting videos of himself in action on social media. The clips reveal a confident, fluid young athlete making smooth leaps and shots and stylish slam dunks.

Luckily, Enmanuel's videos caught the attention of a high school basketball coach in the United States, who offered him a scholarship to Life Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida. So, Enmanuel moved to the U.S. and faced a new challenge head-on—learning English. As he became the team's big scorer, his videos began going viral, drawing over 4 million followers on Instagram and TikTok combined. He also attracted the interest of college recruiters, including one for the Demons.

In March 2023, Enmanuel made headlines once again when he announced that he was entering the transfer portal (the college basketball equivalent of free agency), so he will leave Louisiana and resume his budding college career elsewhere. There's no telling where he will land, now or in the pro basketball career he hopes will follow, but wherever he plays, Enmanuel has a message he hopes to impart: "I want to make people see me as a great player, talented like many others, not for my disability. I want to be seen as any other good player because I'm good and I want to compete."

Think about and discuss these questions:
What facts or evidence would you choose to show Enmanuel's basketball skills?
If you could interview Enmanuel, what three questions would you like to ask him, and why?
Question 3


3 / 8

Based on information in the article, which of these happened first?


Enmanuel entered the transfer portal for placement on a college team.
Enmanuel attracted millions of followers with videos on social media.
Enmanuel was noticed by college recruiters and joined the Demons.
Enmanuel moved from the Dominican Republic to the United States.

Answers

There are no human answers yet.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
To answer your questions:

1. **What facts or evidence would you choose to show Enmanuel's basketball skills?**
- **Scoring Performance**: I would highlight his impressive game during the match against the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, where he scored five points in just eight minutes of play, including a layup and a dunk.
- **Social Media Highlights**: Enmanuel's viral videos on social media demonstrate his athletic ability and skill, showcasing his smooth shooting, jumping for slam dunks, and overall basketball prowess.
- **Background Growth**: His journey from struggling to maintain balance and coordination post-accident to becoming a significant scorer in high school basketball illustrates his development and dedication to the sport.
- **Scholarship to Life Christian Academy**: Receiving a scholarship indicates that he was recognized for his talent and potential as a player, further validating his skills on the basketball court.

2. **If you could interview Enmanuel, what three questions would you like to ask him, and why?**
- **Question 1**: "What motivated you to continue pursuing basketball despite the challenges posed by your amputation?"
- **Reason**: This question seeks to delve into his mindset and resilience, providing insights into his determination and passion for the sport.
- **Question 2**: "How has your experience of using social media to share your journey affected your basketball career and personal life?"
- **Reason**: This question addresses the role of social media in building his brand and connecting with fans, as well as its impact on opportunities in his career.
- **Question 3**: "What message do you hope to convey to young athletes who may be facing their own challenges?"
- **Reason**: This question allows Enmanuel to share his story with broader implications, inspiring others who may feel limited by disabilities or obstacles in their pursuits.

3. **Based on information in the article, which of these happened first?**
- **Enmanuel was noticed by college recruiters and joined the Demons.**

The sequence of events indicates that after Enmanuel's impressive game performance and success in high school, he attracted the attention of college recruiters, which led to his joining the Demons of Northwestern State University. Before this, he moved to the U.S. and gained social media popularity, but being noticed and joining the Demons was a significant milestone in his journey.

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