Former Wyoming guard Charles Hankerson Jr signs with Mongolian professional team

Sports
en_khuder@montsame.mn
2016-02-17 17:35:33

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Wyoming’s Charles Hankerson Jr received an offer from the Dundgobi Hawks of the Mongolian National Basketball Association, and  quickly accepted the offer, signing his first professional contract on Monday. About it was published Tuesday on the trib.com website.

Hankerson leaves for Mongolia on Thursday morning and will join his new team immediately. “It has been a whirlwind, man,” Hankerson said. “Just a ton of emotions. But the main thing is it’s such a humbling experience. Thankfulness is the main feeling. It’s like, I feel so thankful and then validation that dreams really do come true, and if you work hard success can come,”

Hankerson, a 6-foot-4 guard from Miami, began his college career with two seasons at Alabama. As a sophomore in 2010-11, he made five starts and 26 appearances for the Crimson Tide, which advanced to the NIT championship game. The following year, he appeared in 30 games as Alabama reached the NCAA tournament.

After his sophomore season, Hankerson transferred to Wyoming, where he sat out in 2012-13 to satisfy NCAA rules. He served as the team’s top reserve guard as a junior before assuming a starting role as a senior.

In 2014-15, he started 34 of 35 games and averaged 6.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists to help the Cowboys win their first Mountain West tournament title and reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002.

“It’s just a blessing,” Hankerson said of his pro contract. “It’s showed that if you stay persistent and you stay focused, stay positive and believe in yourself that you can do it.”

“This situation is definitely not where I want to end up, but it’s definitely a tremendous steppingstone for me and starting spot,” Hankerson said.

“I know that they want me, and I really feel like that’s the most important part right there,” Hankerson said. “I’m excited to go to a completely new environment and find out everything that the team has to offer.”