Q & A: Tyler Hansbrough, PF
Basketball News - Dave Curtis - SportingNews.com
Jun 11, 2009
Few of 2009's likely NBA draft picks come with more intrigue than former North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough. He set the ACC career scoring record and ended his college career with a national championship in April. But scouts and NBA executives seem split on how he'll fare in the pros. Hansbrough talked with Sporting News' Dave Curtis and other reporters about his preparation for the draft.
Q: A lot of people have said you could be a David Lee-type player in the NBA. That work for you?
A: That's who I compare myself to. A rebounder, an energy player, a Missouri guy. I watched him in high school, and he was a beast.
Q: How well do you know David?
A: I wouldn't say we're friends. He's from Missouri, but we don't talk much. He played in the same AAU organization as I did, and he was my host when I visited Florida. After that, I haven't seen him very much.
Q: David went with the 30th pick when he was in the draft. Think you'll top that?
A: I think I'll go higher than that. I think David has proven he's better than the 30th pick over the years.
Q: Have any of the old Carolina guys given you advice about the NBA?
A: A couple. Sean May's been coming back, and he's given me tips on different drills I can do. But my thing is just to relax. I get nervous and worried about things. I just need to calm myself down. It's not like the scouts don't know what my game is. I played in front of them for four years.
Q: How about Roy Williams? Anything from him?
A: We've been talking back and forth. He's obviously been a guy who's given me advice through college, and he's continued during this. He really just says to play like you usually play, and you'll be fine.
Q: Take us back to the national championship. Was the feeling more joy or relief?
A: A little bit of both. It was a major relief, but as soon as we won, there was some celebrating going on, especially in the halls of our hotel.
Q: What did they do on campus?
A: Have you seen the pictures or the video? You've got to see it. It was insane. They stopped traffic, closed all the roads, and everybody was out there.
Q: What's the focus been since the season ended?
A: It's been kind of a process of learning different moves and ways to create space and get my shot off over bigger defenders. I've been working on a jump shot. It's something I've been working on with my skills trainer. We'll see what happens.
Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.
This story first appeared in the June 9, 2009 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.
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