A good basketball player, yes. A businessman, most likely.

But a full-throttle philanthropist, someone engaged to the core to change not just a Utah community -- but perhaps the world?

Yes, that draws a laugh from former BYU basketball standout Travis Hansen, who is all three things these days. His life has taken the surprising but fruitful course in which he takes particular interest in helping others achieve their dreams as much as he's achieving his.

"I wanted to be a schoolteacher, lead pretty much normal life," says Hansen, who is a star player on the European pro basketball circuit for Dynamo Moscow. "One thing I always had, ever since I was little, was one question on my mind: Why do some kids have it so good -- parents, a house, things like that -- with their path paved in life, and so many other kids are born into ... just horrible, impossible situations."

Hansen, a child of privilege growing up in Utah County, is seeking to draw the two paths closer together through the Little Heroes Foundation.

About two years old, the non-profit organization has already been a huge hit -- and help -- in Russia, where he has received citizenship. That move was in part to potentially make it possible for him to play at last summer's Beijing Olympics.

He has turned a successful playing career, spurred on by the popularity of basketball compared to Russian favorites hockey and soccer, into more than a bit of celebrity. He has become one of the EuroLeague's highest paid players, as well.

Yet Hansen is more likely to talk about the memorable children he's encountered, who fuel his drive to do more.

"It's a good escape from the real job," Hansen said by phone from Moscow.

Plans have grown rapidly with Provo-based health-goods company Nature's Sunshine, which first became acquainted with the Hansen family's mission a couple of years ago. Marketing director Eric Graves, who also now serves on the foundation's board of directors, said it's been a "keep both hands on the wheel" adventure as progress and projects have come so rapidly.

There has been much to help Russian orphans, and there's a project underway to help build a school in Mali, Africa.

In the works are a vitamin line, coloring books, posters and Hansen's wife, LaRee, is developing a children's book.

Little Heroes and Hansen will hold another charity basketball camp, July 8-10 at The Flash Factory in Lehi.

To think: It all started when LaRee was interested in adopting a child about three years ago. The family saw what a dire situation it was for young Russian children who did not have homes.

Hansen proudly points out that all private and corporate donations go "directly to help children," and Little Heroes has sought the input of former local politician RaDene Hatfield, who has a college education background in non-profit organization. She is the CEO.

Graves said Nature's Sunshine was a natural fit to work with Hansen, because Russia is one of the company's greatest clients -- a 10-year relationship. He laughs at his preconceived thoughts of the former Utah Valley and BYU player, who he used to go watch. Hansen was a second-round NBA draft pick in 2003 and had one season in Atlanta before overseas time in Spain. He's been in Russia since 2006.

Graves went to Russia recently to meet Hansen, and he got a greater understanding of what Little Heroes is trying to accomplish. He left impressed with LaRee's tender touch with children, who gravitate toward her, and Travis' laser focus.

"It's not just a one-and-done, a quick infusion of time or money," Graves said. "They want to see things through."

Hansen still keeps in touch with families that have been helped, and he said the stories of some of those children inspire him daily. He's also been known to leave some Dynamo basketball tickets for doctors who have donated their abilities.

Graves can't believe how he used to view Hansen.

"Travis had a presence on the court, how he played in college even, that immediately drew association with a little air of arrogance," Graves said. "I know that's the nature of the business. But it always looked like Travis had a very high evaluation of himself, just the way he played. But when I met him a few years ago -- I sought him out specifically about Little Heroes -- it was 180 degrees from my perception. He's done nothing but amaze me in his ability to be grounded."

• Jason Franchuk can be reached at jfranchuk@heraldextra.com.

Related

• Participants, counselors getting educated at Hansen's hoops camp