“It Was a Tough Loss, We Were Still College Kids”: Ex-NBA Star Reflects on Peculiar Motivation for NCAA Championship

Tyler Hansbrough was considered a promising prospect whose popularity grew after he led North Carolina to state championship. However, a year before the title, his team suffered a stunning defeat. Rookie Cole Aldrich defeated North Carolina 84-66 in the national semifinals, with Hansbrough held to season lows in both points and rebounds against Kansas.

Hansbrough’s undergraduate career ended spectacularly as UNC won the national championship in 2009. His numbers were lower than the previous year, with 20.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Years later, the big man transported back to his undergraduate days, when he shone and won a national championship for North Carolina.

Tyler Hansbrough relives his championship days

In a recent interview, Tyler opened up about his motivation to get back for the championship ring: “It was a tough loss, we were just college kids.”

The loss of his senior season had a great impact on the team, says Tyler, and soon they bounced back for a championship. He then describes the approach they had for the finals: “When we got back to the final four, we didn’t approach the same way we did in the prior.”

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Losing to Kansas, Tyler said, taught the team a lesson: “They should work hard in the finals.”

Did Tyler Hansbrough create a successful NBA tale?

Hansbrough skillfully positioned himself to be selected with the 13th overall pick in the NBA by the Indiana Pacers. He played for the franchise for four seasons, but he was never able to develop into a regular big-man position. After that, he played for the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors before taking his skills abroad.

He presently plays in Puerto Rico, but he has also played for three different clubs in China for a while. His China stint with Sichuan Blue Whales is the longest overseas partnership.

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So, what do you think about Tyler Hansbrough’s inability to shine in the NBA despite having a spectacular NCAA run?