Bobby is currently the General Manager and Assistant Publisher at the Daily Statesman after serving his term as Managing Editor. He wears many hats in the office, including coordinator of all things online, but his real passion is sports.

Tar Heels retire #50

Posted Saturday, February 13, 2010, at 8:08 PM

Former North Carolina center Tyler Hansbrough became the eighth player in school history to have his number retired.

Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Tyler Hansbrough nearly did it all during four years at North Carolina Tar Heels. Then came the capper: Having his jersey No. 50 raised to the Smith Center's rafters.

North Carolina retired Hansbrough's number on Wednesday night, honoring the leading scorer and rebounder in the history of one of college basketball's winningest programs.

Former North Carolina center Tyler Hansbrough became the eighth player in school history to have his number retired.

Hansbrough was presented with a framed jersey during a 10-minute ceremony at halftime of the Tar Heels' game against rival Duke, which marked the Indiana Pacers forward's first visit to Chapel Hill for a game since his career ended last spring.

"It's still hard for me to sit back and think about it, all the great memories and things like that," Hansbrough said. "But when I walk in the gym and see my 50 in the front row, with all those other guys, it kind of sinks in."

It was fitting that the celebration took place with the Blue Devils in the house. Hansbrough was 6-2 in his career against Carolina's bitter rival, and has a special place in Tar Heel lore thanks to a 4-0 record at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The banner hangs behind one baseline and next to Antawn Jamison's No. 33 in the arena's distinguished front row of jerseys. It was illuminated by a spotlight during the ceremony.

"I guess that's my signature, my stamp," Hansbrough said.

Hansbrough is the eighth Tar Heel to have his number retired, and has known this day was coming ever since his junior season in 2007-08 when he won the AP national player of the year award. The following year, he led North Carolina to its fifth NCAA tournament title.

The four-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection finished his career with a league-record 2,872 points and a school-record 1,219 rebounds to go with the NCAA record of 982 made free throws.

Coach Roy Williams, who briefly addressed the crowd before heading to the Tar Heels' locker room, called Hansbrough "one of the most focused, most driven young men I've ever known in my life.

"Roy Williams was a better coach because of this young man," Williams said.

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Well deserved.

-- Posted by BonScott on Sun, Feb 14, 2010, at 1:48 AM
This shows good guys can finish first. Congratulations.

-- Posted by Dexterite1 on Mon, Feb 15, 2010, at 9:32 AM
Great company in those rafters.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Mon, Feb 15, 2010, at 10:29 AM
Hansbrough is the greatest college player to wear a UNC uniform.

-- Posted by dexter_dad on Wed, Feb 17, 2010, at 4:48 PM
That's very arguable dexter_dad, but he sure did put up the best numbers and it was fun watching him do it....Give him three years and I say he'll be putting up double-doubles in the NBA.

-- Posted by BonScott on Wed, Feb 17, 2010, at 5:14 PM
Would agree with the daddy's wording there.....key word: college!

Also will agree with puke and choke! Injury and illness have not helped his cause this season, but he will be at least a damrn good role player in the NBA and I will not be surprised if he puts a BIG ring on his finger before it is all over with.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Feb 17, 2010, at 9:56 PM
Just wondering where you would rank Hansbrough on the all-time list of college players? I personally would put him in the 8th-12th range. Bobby, with your knowledge what is your thought, also would love to hear from hoon, bon scott, and any other dead rockers out there.

-- Posted by dexter_dad on Thu, Feb 18, 2010, at 7:27 PM
That's a great question dexter_dad. I'll have to give this one some thought. Even though he is the only four time first team All-American, there are several players that played when they would not allow freshman to play varsity. Here's my top 10 in no particular order:

Lew Alcindor

Bill Walton

Larry Bird

Magic Johnson

Pete Marivich

Bill Russell

Elvin Hayes

David Thompson

Michael Jordan

Christian Leattner

I would definitely put Hansbrough in the top 15.

-- Posted by BonScott on Thu, Feb 18, 2010, at 9:17 PM
I have him right behind Jed Frost at #13.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Fri, Feb 19, 2010, at 12:04 AM
Then that means #12 has to be Simion Haley...I thought so.

-- Posted by BonScott on Fri, Feb 19, 2010, at 8:00 AM
#12 is Jed Frost. #11 is Haley and rounding out my top 10 at #10 is Ricky Clemons.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Fri, Feb 19, 2010, at 8:34 AM

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