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Quite a Dynamo — Hansen and wife make a difference in Moscow

Hansen IS finally Red. I like it.

He was a winner at the school down south and it doesn't look like things have changed.

Good luck to Travis and his family.

It has been fun to follow Travis' career in Europe. He had two great years with Tau Ceramica in Spain after leaving the Atlanta Hawks. I believe Tau finished 2nd and 3rd in the Euroleague those two years. Because he speaks Spanish and had served a mission in Chile, I thought he would never leave.

But Dynamo Moscow and CSKA Moscow are two pretty great teams, with a lot of history and money. I loved him at BYU and it would seem the fans in Moscow feel the same way.

What a player!!

This is a great story--just think of the good that could be done in the world if there were more people with means (and companies with means--Natures Sunshine) who would step up and actually DO something to relieve suffering in the world. Cheers to this BYU alum and his wonderful wife.

Interesting article.

With current tax law, the first 80k of Travis' income is tax free, which probably saves him 20-30k a year. I suppose even for a millionaire, that's not chump change.

As a former expat myself, I believe living overseas can be invigorating. Glad to see they've gone the extra mile and contributed significantly to the country they're living in.

Well done, Hansen. It's great to see a professional athlete make such a difference. Travis was always one of my favorite players at BYU because of his intense passion he always brought to each game (which for whatever reason just doesn't seem to happen too much at BYU). It's good to see that the people of Russia have responded to that as well. Good luck to him and his family in all that they do.

I like this article and I love Travis.

He is successful because he is a winner!!

Is anyone surprised?

Travis was respected when he played. And he is still a class act in Europe.

I still wish he would have been here on the hill playing with the Johnsen brothers, Britton and Jeff, for those three years. They would have been unbeatable.

He carried the Cougars those years and should have been a Ute.

I know Travis' family and have followed him throughout his career. He has won everywhere he has gone and won big!

He played at Tau Ceramica in Spain for two years. Tau Ceramica is one of the premiere teams in all of Europe and has been for 20 years.

Dynamo Moscow is one of only two Euroleague teams from Russia. I think Spain has 4 teams playing in the Euroleague. I believe there are a total of 26 teams in the league.

Lets see. One year in the NBA, two in Spain, and he has been in Moscow for two already. And he has just signed for three more? He will have a 8 year professional basketball career!! At least...

He easily has to be one of the 2 or 3 most successful basketball players to come out of Utah.

It is great to see him winning on the basketball court as well as in life.

Its a great story. A former Cougar who has taken serious the charge: "Go forth to serve."

I appreciate the follow up and the uplifting article. I rarely read articles about athletes off-court activity because, honestly, I really don't care to hear about the majority of off-court exploits. But this was a refreshing article.

Travis is living his life and leading his family the way he was taught within his family. I was there when he returned to recover and witnessed his intense desire to return a better player and person. Congratulations to him and his family for making a difference in the lives of the people in Russia and Utah!

Does anyone know his stat over there? Can't believe they didn't mention it in the article except kept repeating he is a "big impact"...

Thanks for giving me an article about a player's wife. It had been a few days, and I needed a fix.

I think it is awful that Hansen would consider playing in the Olympics for a team other than the USA. Obviously he could not make the USA team but that does not mean he should go play for Russia. I know other people do this but it needs to stop. Play for the country you were born in, call your permanent home and where you say you are from not where you are temporary living.

I went to Mountain View while Travis was there; my brother managed the b-ball team Travis's senior year. He was fantastic at MV, was fantastic at BYU, and is also showing he's fantastic in Russia. He is a great player and a great person and I'm proud of athletes like him that do well on the court and do good in life.

P.S. I love all the Utah posters claiming him as an ex-post Ute like 5 years after the fact... any other Cougars you wish you had?

I spent two years in Russia ten years ago. He is lucky he gets to experience a culture like that of Eastern Europe. So many ways to learn from the people and grow. ..and he gets to play! He's lucky to be there and they're lucky to have him. Nice article, but stats would have been nice!

Goodguygary

Euroleague stats show him 7th in the ULEB league in scoring at 20.5 per game and shooting over almost 50% from the field, including 48% from the 3-point line.

He is having another great year despite recovering from an injury.

I just found out how to register for the fundraiser basketball camp. You go to littleheroesfoundation.org and it gives you instructions.

I live in Russia and it's great to know Travis and LaRee. They are total class acts and represent their country, religion and their families well. Not to mention their two little boys are adorable and everyone has fun at their games. Of course, Travis wouldn't mention that he is the volunteer coach for his boy's team on Saturday.

get a clue.... he is doing more good for america by being the opposite of the "ugly american" so much has been made of in the past. and although his contribution is only thru sports, the good will and the wonderful work of his wife with those so much in need shows that some times, humanity is more valuable the "nationalism". america needs all the help it can get in world opinion now rather then more of the same jingoism that led us to the mess we have created now.
thank you mr and ms hansen for what you are doing for others.