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UNC's Hansbrough Will Return For Sophomore Year

Mar 29, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — All-America forward Tyler Hansbrough will return to UNC to play for the Tar Heels in 2006-07, Hansbrough and UNC head coach Roy Williams said Wednesday.

"I never really considered leaving for the NBA after this season," Hansbrough said. "However, Coach Williams still provided me information he learned from his contacts in the league, and after listening to that information I still think it is best for me to come back and be with my teammates again and hopefully have another fantastic season."

Hansbrough earned first-team All-America honors this year from The Sporting News and the Commonwealth Club of Kentucky (Rupp Awards). He also was a third-team All-America selection by The Associated Press and National Association of Basketball Coaches. He is the first Tar Heel freshman ever to earn All-America honors.

Hansbrough became the first Tar Heel (and ninth player in ACC history) to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and steals. He averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds, shot 57.0 percent from the field and had 38 steals.

"The NBA is definitely a goal of mine down the line, but right now I am enjoying college a great deal and feel I can improve in every phase of my game," Hansbrough said. "I enjoy school, my teammates and being part of the Carolina Basketball program."