Tyler Hansbrough did everything expected, even more. He wowed them with his jumper, showing not just accuracy but impressive lift. He ran the floor. He played as hard yesterday as anyone has played in any workout at the Nets’ practice facility.
So why isn’t Hansbrough from NCAA champ North Carolina the consensus, no-brainer pick for the Nets at No. 11 in the NBA Draft?
Well, the Nets have a lot of power forwards already. Hansbrough is 24, and though he’ll improve, some feel the upside is not as great. And teams are always looking for the upside savior. Duke guard Gerald Henderson has risen dramatically on the Nets’ list. So though Hansbrough certainly is in the mix, he probably ranks behind Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn, Louisville wing Terrence Williams and Henderson.
One of the biggest raps is that Hansbrough has the athleticism of a mailbox.
“That’s been kind of the knock on me ever since. I laugh about it,” said Hansbrough, the ACC’s all-time leading scorer. “Whatever you guys want to say, I’ll prove you wrong in the gym.”
It’s that drive that separates Hansbrough.
“I’ve always played that way. I’m a fierce competitor and I like to do my best and make sure I don’t get beat,” said Hansbrough, who averaged 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds. “People have doubted me my whole career.”
GM Kiki Vandeweghe admits the Nets’ short list has five or six names.
Hansbrough worked yesterday with a group that included Henderson, whose shooting and Duke pedigree make him the safe pick; Arizona State power forward Jeff Pendergraph; and point guard Brandon Jennings, who has played in Italy.