Tyler Hansbrough, who became one of the most decorated Tar Heels ever during his four years in Chapel Hill, is now the 14th Tar Heel to be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Playing from 2005 through 2009 under head coach Roy Williams (also a member of the Hall), Hansbrough became the only player in ACC history to be named first team All-ACC and first team All-America four times. He was named the unanimous 2008 National Player of the Year and holds the all-time ACC scoring record and the all-time NCAA free throws made record.

“I’m honored to be getting inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame,” said Hansbrough. “Choosing to play at North Carolina was one of the smartest decisions I’ve made. I had the greatest teammates at UNC and want to thank them. I also played for the best coaching staff in college basketball, and I thank Coach Williams and his staff.”

Carolina accrued a 120-22 record in Hansbrough’s four seasons, capped off by a win in the 2009 national championship against Michigan State. Hansbrough’s Tar Heels also won three ACC regular-season titles, two ACC Tournaments, earned three No. 1 seeds and appeared in back-to-back Final Fours in 2008 and 2009. Hansbrough simultaneously held Carolina’s all-time scoring and rebounding records until last season, when Armando Bacot broke the latter. Hansbrough’s No. 50 jersey is one of just eight retired by the men’s basketball program.

“I am thrilled for Tyler Hansbrough and his family,” said Williams. “This award is well deserved and comes strictly from effort, hard work and talent. Tyler was one of the most unique players I ever coached, and I never coached anyone that gave more than he did. He tried to be the absolute best he could possibly be in every phase of the game and gave tremendous effort every day. I loved coaching the young man and really look forward to seeing him receive this honor.”

Ironically, Hansbrough will be inducted on August 30 in Chicago along with former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Former Blue Devil Johnny Dawkins is also part of the Class of 2023.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Men's Basketball Rises to No. 16 in Latest AP Poll
After a home win against Notre Dame and a road win at then-No. 14 Virginia, UNC rose six spots in the latest AP Top 25 poll to No. 16 this week. UNC’s six-spot jump is the largest of any team in the poll. After dropping to No. 22 following road losses at unranked Stanford and […]
Photo Gallery: UNC at Virginia
UNC came back from a 16-point deficit in the first half to beat No. 14 Virginia 85-80 in Charlottesville Saturday. Check out Chapelboro’s photos of the game from Chance Bragg! Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring […]
UNC Men's Basketball Erases 16-Point Deficit, Upsets No. 14 Virginia in Charlottesville
Despite trailing by 16 points late in the first half, UNC rallied to earn a critical ACC win and upset No. 14 Virginia 85-80 in Charlottesville Saturday afternoon. It is Virginia’s first loss at home this season and just its second in ACC play, and the 16-point comeback is the largest ever by a visiting […]
Chansky's Notebook: The New 'Hoos
Ryan Odom’s Virginia has a more mysterious roster than Tony Bennett put together with starters and subs most casual fans don’t know.
UNC Men's Basketball at Virginia (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will travel up to Charlottesville this weekend to take on No. 14 Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena. The Tar Heels are 5-2 against the Cavaliers in head coach Hubert Davis’ tenure. If you aren’t making the trip with the team, here’s how you can follow along at home: Inclement Weather Update Saturday’s game […]
'It's Really Ignited Our Team': Hubert Davis Lauds Caleb Wilson's Leadership After Cal Loss
Caleb Wilson couldn’t believe what he was seeing. On the flight back from a disastrous two-game west coast trip to Stanford and Cal – both losses – Wilson was crushing tape from the game against the Bears. Because what else is there to do on a five-plus-hour flight than to review high-profile mistakes? The five-star […]
UNC Men's Basketball Blows Out Notre Dame to Snap Losing Streak
UNC put its humbling trip to California behind it Wednesday night at the Smith Center, beating Notre Dame 91-69 to snap a two-game losing streak. HEELS WIN.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/GX1av4Wy8a — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) January 22, 2026 As in games against Wake Forest and Stanford earlier in January, UNC built an early lead quickly. The […]
Chansky's Notebook: Here's the Plan
UNC has already paid millions to so-called consultants about options for the Smith Center, which you and I could submit for free.
'Renovate Don't Relocate': Roy Williams Joins Petition to Keep UNC Basketball at Dean Smith Center
As discussion around the potential relocation of the UNC men’s basketball program away from the Dean Smith Center heats up, one notable voice has spoken up in favor of the 40-year-old arena: Hall of Fame head coach Roy Williams. In a video posted on Instagram Monday night, Williams reflected on his time in the arena […]
UNC Men's Basketball Buried Under 1st Half Avalanche, Loses at Cal
UNC’s struggling defense found no solutions Saturday afternoon at Cal, as the Bears torched the Tar Heels in the first half and built what turned out to be an insurmountable lead. Despite Carolina mounting a furious comeback attempt in the second half, it fell 84-78 for its third loss in the last four games. Carolina […]
›