Five Best Centers in UNC Basketball History
By Alex Zietlow
Apr 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) reacts after a basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
1) Tyler Hansbrough #50 (2005-2009)
If you’re not a North Carolina fan, you hate him; if you are a North Carolina fan, you love him. Psycho T not only is identified as one of the best centers in North Carolina history, but also as one of the best players to ever play college basketball. He was passionate, hard-working, relentless, and a leader, and as a result, attained one of the most impressive careers in all of college sports.
Hansbrough finished his collegiate career with 20.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Hansbrough earned first-team All-America and All-ACC honors in each of his four seasons. He is first in the ACC and 12th in the NCAA in scoring with 2,872 points. He is Carolina’s all-time leading scorer in tournament play and holds the NCAA record for made free throws (982). Hansbrough was the 2008 National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Tournament MVP. He is the only player in ACC history to lead his school in scoring and rebounding for four seasons, and even broke Sam Perkins’ UNC rebounding record (finished with 1,219).
Throughout all of his four years, he was the heart and soul of the Tar Heels. He played with an emotion never seen before and played with an aggression unmatched by any other center to come before him at North Carolina.
While he plays in the NBA as a power forward, Hansbrough typically played center at North Carolina, and did so successfully. On top of all of his achievements, his two biggest were most certainly his national championship in 2009, and of course, his undefeated record at Cameron-Indoor Stadium.
Hansbrough is not just one of the greatest centers in UNC history; he is one of the greatest players to ever play at North Carolina.