A rumor has been doing the rounds that Hansel Emmanuel, a Dominican basketball player, has signed a deal with the Houston Rockets as a free undrafted agent. The rumor has gained ground, leaving many wondering about the draft status of the 21-year-old.
However, on Saturday, Jun 28, his agent, Jhoancy Zapata of Z-Axis Sports, poured cold water on the word on the street. In a phone interview with the Sporting News, Zapata said:
“No, it’s not. It’s false… it’s a rumor.”
She added that the rumor serves as a motivation for Emmanuel. Confirming that no deal exists between Emmanuel and the Rockets or any other NBA program, she said:
“It’s definitely motivation, because rumors like that spark an interest… maybe not directly from the Rockets, but maybe from another team as well. So we know we’re closer to the finish line.”
Emmanuel, who lost an arm in his childhood, was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and followed in his father’s, Hansel Salvador Donato, footsteps, who was a former professional basketball player. Emmanuel attended high school at Life Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida, where he had an average of 25.9 points, 6.9 assists, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks as a senior, with a state championship on his shelf.
His college career began at Northwestern State in 2022, but he featured in limited games. With a total average of 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.2 minutes across 20 games, seeking more playing opportunity, he transferred to Austin Peay, where he has shown promise and averages 2.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across all games.
Hansel Emmanuel’s Path Beyond the 2025 NBA Draft
He had declared for the just-concluded 2025 NBA Draft, held on Jun 25 and 26 in Brooklyn, New York. Many post-draft speculations emerged on social media with the claim that he has been signed by the Rockets.
CongratsBREAKING: Houston Rockets are signing Hansel Emmanuel to a 2-Way contract from Austin Peay State.
Hansel Emmanuel lost one of his arms when he was six, but now he’s taking the basketball world by storm and has his eyes on the NBA. ❤
A true inspiration 🏁🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/EmYFoFsRVv
— Barry Lamar Linson (@barrylinson34) June 27, 2025
It is worth noting that his undrafted status, as reported, does not diminish his impact in any way. A two-way contract will allow him to split between the NBA and the G-League, which is another possibility, importantly with teams known for developing unconventional talent.
Also, his NIL valuation and endorsements enhance his appeal, which might attract a global fanbase; however, he must address concerns about his defensive limitations and consistency to compete at the professional level.
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