Tyler Hansbrough made the best decision ever.

Can you believe the Tar Heels are about to begin their eighth basketball season since Tyler Hansbrough graduated? UNC’s all-time  leading scorer and rebounder has played seven years in the NBA for the Pacers, Raptors and most recently the Hornets, who cut Psycho T in the off-season and have signed veteran Roy Hibbert, who is five inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than Hansbrough.

Fellow former Heels Kendall Marshall and Marcus Paige are also looking to catch on with NBA teams, and they may have a better chance than Hansbrough, who has proven to be an average pro after a spectacular college career. And, so it seems, he knew it would be that way when he declined entering the draft after each of his four All-American seasons on the way to becoming the most decorated player in the pantheon of Carolina stars.

At 6-9 and 250 pounds, with a motor that always ran on high, Hansbrough was big enough to dominate the college game. He was a relentless rebounder and scorer under the basket, where he also shot 79 percent from the free throw line after 1241 attempts, over 400 more than any other Tar Heel in history. But, with so many records in sight, Hansbrough seemed more content to stay in school every year, and as a senior broke them all, points and rebounds included.

Did Hansbrough have a sixth sense or get some sage advice that he would never come close to being the pro player that he was in college? Rarely hurt at Carolina, the NBA game was far more physical for someone who was no bigger than most small forwards and some big guards. Hansbrough was oft-injured as a rookie and forced to change his game, play more on the perimeter and shoot more face-up jumpers, where he was good but not great.

The college game fit him to a Psycho T and he remains the most honored and among the most beloved Tar Heels in history. After seven years in the NBA, he’s been wise with his money and probably never has to play another basketball game in his life.

Good call, Tyler, and good luck.