Tyler Hansbrough

Tyler Hansbrough, #50 PF, North Carolina

Strengths:
- Continual improvement of shooting range every year
- Back to basket scoring
- Post moves/Footwork
- Ability to get to the free throw line and convert
- Hook shot
- Strong intangibles
- Physical toughness
- Winning mentality
- Work ethic
- Coachable

Weaknesses:
- Passing out of the post
- Passing skills
- Lateral quickness
- Explosiveness
- Undersized for PF position in the NBA
- Wingspan
- Ball-handling skills
- Lower ceiling than most other prospects – older than class of peers

Summary:
Tyler Hansbrough is the one player I’m most excited about scouting. I had the privilege of watching Hansbrough play his first two seasons at UNC while I was still an undergraduate student. Since my time there, he has gone on to break the Carolina scoring and rebounding records, and he is soon to pass JJ Redick’s ACC scoring record. He was not the most athletic player on the team then, and he still is not. He’s not a fancy player to watch, but he gets the job done. He plays the game with a high level of intensity and always makes it a point to work harder than the next player on the court.

Hansbrough wants the ball in his hands every time UNC is on the offensive end. Over his four year career, he has built up a nice arsenal of post moves. He has worked on his footwork, but he still is prone to traveling. He has developed a nice hook shot and extended his shooting range to include a three point shot (currently shooting 47.4%, an improvement for a player who only focused his early career around the basket). He looks more comfortable and confident when pulling up for a shot from the mid-range out. He still relies heavily on his “push” shot in the post, something that will not be nearly as successful at the next level with bigger, stronger, and more athletic individuals guarding him.

Hansbrough works best with his back to the basket. In these situations, he utilizes his hook and push shots. He works best in these situations because he embraces contact. He is a physical player who is looking to get fouled, put up a shot and convert his free throws (he currently is shooting 85.6%, a very good number for a big man) every time he gets the ball in the post. His aggressive play can get him in trouble though. Many teams will double down on Hansbrough in hopes of slowing him down. In many situations, it would be best for Hansbrough to pass the ball back out to a perimeter player for either a shot or to reposition himself and look for the ball again. He is not very good at passing out of the post, especially when he is double teamed. Of course, his passing skills in general are not great and need work.

Hansbrough’s hard-nose style benefits him on the defensive end of the floor. It is tough to back him down in the post, and he rarely leaves his feet on ball fakes. He is a very efficient rebounder, relying on his positioning to grab lose balls. He has improved his perimeter defense, but he lacks lateral quickness. For him to play against more athletic big men, it will be imperative for Hansbrough to improve this facet of his game.

Will he be the best player to come out of this draft class? Probably not. He has a lower ceiling than most of the prospects in his draft class because of his age. Although his ceiling may not be as high, you know exactly what you are getting with Hansbrough, and I can guarantee this: very few players will out hustle him. He has a strong desire to do the best job he can when he’s on the court. He wants to win, and will do whatever is necessary of him to achieve that goal. A case in point, he returned for his senior year at UNC to win a national championship. He is a very coachable player with a strong work ethic, toughness, and strong intangibles.

Projection: late first round to early second round (28-34)

Player Comparison: David Lee/Luis Scola

Best fit:
- While he could be inserted onto most rosters and perform at a high level, based on the recent history of one team, I believe Hansbrough could step in and become a player fans would embrace. That team is the Indiana Pacers. The Palace Brawl could have happened yesterday in many fans minds. With his strong work ethic, morals and ability to maintain composure after numerous hard fouls and attempts to provoke him, the Pacers could use that kind of character to boost the image of the team.