PSYCHO T.
That’s the nickname of one of my favorite college basketball players of all time. Tyler Hansbrough is his real name. Not the coolest looking guy right? So why would a pre-teen, African American kid love him? Because, he was the best college player I’ve ever seen at the University of North Carolina. In his four years there, he averaged 20 points per game and grabbed almost nine rebounds a game. In his best year with Carolina, he averaged almost 23 points per game while bringing down over 10 rebounds a game. That same year, Tyler was recognized as the ACC player of the year and swept all National Player of the Year awards. Tyler was that DUDE. In his senior year, he culminated his decorated career with a national championship over Michigan State. But, all of this success didn’t culminate into an as successful NBA career. Hansbrough was the player that helped me to realize that college success doesn’t always translate to NBA success.
Tyler Hansbrough was my guy growing up. His rise in college basketball began right as I began to love the game. His passion, hustle, and love for the game was something that everyone could relate to. Also, it didn’t hurt that he was a terrific college basketball player. He dominated inside and had a flair for some great dunks. They always seemed to hype the crowd up. He was the type of guy that everyone wanted to root for. Check his highlight tape here:
One of the best games that encapsulates his whole college career is the Duke game on March 4, 2007 (my 10th birthday). UNC won that game 86–72 behind Hansbrough’s 26 points and 17 rebounds. That showcases the dominance he showed for all four years in Carolina. But the iconic moment that showed his toughness was this:
In the video, you can see Tyler is knocked in the nose by Gerald Henderson as he was going up for the rebound. Unbothered by his broken nose, Tyler gets up angrily and doesn’t back down. This was the guy Tyler was. He’d give you 20 and 10 a night and wouldn’t take any shit from you at the same time.
As a naive kid, I thought great college success = great NBA success. I swore that Tyler was going to be a terrific NBA player. However, Tyler was an undersized center with scoring prowess that didn’t really translate to the NBA. He was more of an old school player in a league that was rapidly changing. He was still a lottery pick based on his ridiculous college career going to the Indiana Pacers at pick 13. In his rookie season, Tyler had per-36 averages of 17 and 10 which seems pretty good but he shot an atrocious 36% from the field. I had high hopes for Tyler and was still rooting for him while he was in Indiana, catching any game I could (which was pretty difficult) and checking box scores to see how well he played. His next year, he vastly improved averaging 18 and 9 per-36 but on 46% shooting. However, he never really had that same sort of impact he had in college. At the beginning of Tyler’s NBA career, star guys like DeMarcus Cousins and Blake Griffin were multi-skilled or hyper-athletic. Less heralded, but productive, guys like Taj Gibson and Derrick Favors weren’t as skilled but were athletic and defended well. Tyler didn’t fit in those types and was forced to be a backup. Tyler had the “intangibles” that everyone talks about but not necessarily, the skill and the talent. By 2016, he was out of the league because the league had begun to change. Power Forwards in the NBA were getting quicker and becoming better shooters. Tyler didn’t fit into those descriptions. Tyler was able to carve out a seven year career in the NBA though, which is nothing to sniff at. Being one of the 400+ guys in the NBA is a huge accomplishment.
Now the question is where is Tyler now? After a stint in the D-League, Tyler signed a deal to play for the Guangzhou Lions in China. Overseas, Hansbrough averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds this past season on 59% shooting. Per Bleacher report, it seems as if Tyler is enjoying himself in China and views his professional playing career as a success. Another venture he has is podcasting with Gerald Henderson. Yes, that Gerald Henderson. They’ve put their differences aside and discuss the Tobacco Road rivalry.
As the game has changed, I don’t foresee a NBA return for Tyler Hansbrough but I wish him the best in China. He’s an important part of my basketball memories and he’ll always be revered in my eyes.
