After playing basketball and running track as a freshman, Hankins transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he starred in basketball and football before returning to Oklahoma State for his senior year.

In that year, Hankins was a key player for Henry Iba's 1945 national championship team, averaging 13.3 points for the Aggies.

[1] Following the close of his collegiate career, Cecil Hankins weighed opportunities in both professional football (with the Boston Yanks) and basketball.

[2] After his professional career ended, Hankins became a basketball and football coach at Sand Springs High School.

This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 1920s is a stub.