Hannahs still after pro dream
Don’t call Dusty Hannahs just a shooter.
Sure, the former Pulaski Academy and University of Arkansas standout guard is known for his shooting ability. But Hannahs, who is currently with the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle, is attempting to show that he’s a more complete player.
“When people call me a shooter, they’re trying to give me a compliment,” Hannahs said at the Downtown Tip-Off
Club’s meeting Monday at the Wyndham Riverfront hotel in North Little Rock. “But in my brain, it’s an insult. It kept me going when people were complimenting me, as bad as that sounds.
“I’ve been working. Hard work is what got me here. I work really diligently. I work smart.”
Hannahs was joined by his father Gerald and AAU Arkansas Wings founder Ron Crawford on Monday for a question-and-answer session at the Downtown Tip-Off Club. Gerald Hannahs was a major league pitcher for four seasons with the Montreal Expos (1976-77) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1978-79).
Hannahs said Monday that he’s always appreciated his son’s work ethic.
“He just never quit,” Hannahs said. “He won’t ever quit. He’s just been a great kid.”
Dusty Hannahs, 25, is averaging 14.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 36 games this season with the Hustle. He’s shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 43.7 percent from threepoint range.
Entering Monday, Memphis (20-16), which plays its games at the Landers Center in Southaven, Miss., was sixth in the Western Conference in the G League.
In two seasons with the Hustle, Hannahs has averaged 11.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
“I’m playing my game. I think I’ve been playing well,” Hannahs said. “I’m just chasing the dream.”
Hannahs played two seasons at Texas Tech before transferring to Arkansas in 2014. After his redshirt season of 2014-15, Hannahs went on to lead the Razorbacks in scoring in 2015-16 (16.5 points per game) and 2016-17 (14.4 ppg).
However, Hannahs is not
one to look back at his prior accomplishments.
“I don’t have time to sit back and be happy with myself with the stuff I’ve done,” Hannahs said.
“I don’t even have time to be happy with the previous game I played well in. Every day, I’m just trying to get better. I’m with guys who are 6-7, 6-8 that are guarding me. That’s the type of guys the NBA loves. It’s my job to go out there and kill those guys. I have to give them no doubt.”
Hannahs said several NBA teams have shown interest in him, but he is focused on getting better in the G League.
“It’s still fun to be able to be paid and do what I love,” Hannahs said. “But I have higher aspirations. At the same time, I’m getting to play basketball and have fun.”