"It definitely is a privilege to be put in that category with the other Tar
Heels whose numbers are retired," Hansbrough said. "It truly is something
special to have accomplished. In fact, it's kind of hard to sit here and
talk about how it feels to be put in the same category as the players who
are up there already. I just know it is really special and something I look
at as a privilege to be part of."
Hansbrough's number 50 will be retired by the University of North Carolina.
UNC's Athletic Council policy states that a student-athlete must be the
national player of the year to have his or her jersey number retired. In
men's basketball, a student-athlete must win one of the following six player
of the year awards: the Oscar Robertson Trophy (selected by the United
States Basketball Writers Association of America), the National Association
of Basketball Coaches; the Associated Press; The Sporting News; the Naismith
Award (presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club); and the John R. Wooden Award
(presented by the Los Angeles Athletic Club).
"I am ecstatic for Tyler and his family as well as his teammates who share
in this honor," said UNC head coach Roy Williams. "He's a great example
for all young players of how to prepare to play and how to play hard each
and every day. He's had a phenomenal season, especially considering all the
expectations he faced coming into this season. He is quite deserving of this
honor. It is even more special when you consider the other outstanding
players that have also had great seasons.
"By winning this award, Tyler qualifies to move into the front row in the
rafters and have his jersey retired whenever he decides to leave the
University of North Carolina. There will never be another
one just like him. I am so lucky to be his coach. For the rest of my career,
I will be able to look up into that first row and see his jersey hanging
next to the other retired jerseys and I know that will bring a big smile to
my face."
Hansbrough leads the ACC in scoring and rebounding this year with 23.1
points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He tied a single-season ACC record by
winning seven player of the week awards. He led his team to a 14-2 record in
conference play that clinched the school's 26th ACC regular-season
championship.
He is the sixth-leading scorer in UNC history with 2,001 points and
is third all-time in ACC history for most points by a player as a junior. He
set the UNC record for most free throws made and is tied for second in
league history for free throws made by an ACC player with 690.
Hansbrough is also one of only three players in the 55-year history of the ACC to earn unanimous first-team All-ACC honors for three consecutive years.
There are currently seven retired jerseys that hang from the Smith Center rafters:
#52 - James Worthy (1979-82)
#33 - Antawn Jamison (1995-98)
#23 - Michael Jordan (1981-84)
#20 - George Glamack (1939-41)
#12 - Phil Ford (1974-78)
#10 - Lennie Rosenbluth (1954-57)
N/A - Jack Cobb (1924-26)