[Lefty Noob]

Tyler Hansbrough of the Tar Heels has been named the 2006 Freshman of the Year by the Sporting News.

Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina was selected as Freshman of the Year. Hansbrough finished the regular season as the ACC's second-leading scorer (19 points per game) and seventh overall in rebounding (7.6 per game). He set a Dean Smith Center scoring record with 40 points in a victory over Georgia Tech , which broke the ACC's single-game mark for a freshman.

Source: The Sporting News / Scout.com

So what do you guys think of this? Is Hansbrough a worthy recipient of the award?

[cjg11582]

God yes, in a way he is the most underrated player in the country. I have never seen someone who looks so awkward in his own skin be so effective on the court. Not even Yao Ming.

[pete_b]

Right cjg you hit the nail on the head. I couldn't think of what it was but the guy just seems to go through the motions and he executes. He is one of those guys with a lot of heart and the humbleness to just do what he is told. I could be wrong but he isnt a natural talent just a hard worker. He played well against Duke and is one of the reasons why UNC beat them.

[Lefty Noob]

Good news, Tar Heel fans, he's coming back next year.

"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."

The 6-foot-9 forward became the first player in school history to lead his team in scoring [18.9 points], rebounding [7.8 rebounds], shooting percentage [57 percent] and steals [38]. He was the first Tar Heels freshman to earn All-America honors, including a third-team selection by The Associated Press.

He was also the first freshman in league history to be an unanimous first-team All-ACC pick.

Source: AP

No doubt this will help North Carolina become a legitimate Final Four threat next season. Can't wait to see them in 2006-07 after seeing how good they were this year, especially considering how bad they were supposed to be.