By Bradley Corbett
Travis Hansen officially became an Atlanta Hawk on July 10 by signing a contract with the basketball team.
Under league rules, Hansen couldn''t officially practice with the team until under contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Hansen''s first practice was July 10 at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
Hawks assistant coach Alex English talked about Hansen after the first day of practice.
'Travis is just a tough player,' English said in an Atlanta Hawks press release. 'I think he is going to be a surprise to a lot of people here.'
Hansen said he was happy to get the contract out of the way and focus on basketball. He said the first practice was fun.
'It feels good,' Hansen said. 'It was the first practice, and it looks like we''re going to have a pretty good team.'
Hansen was drafted in the second round of last month''s NBA draft. The former BYU Cougar will now practice with the ''Atlanta Hawks in preparation for the 2003-04 season.
Hansen and the Hawks are playing in the Reebok Summer League in Boston this week.