Hansbrough's father will cherish the Tar Heel memories

As with all big games, his father, Gene Hansbrough, is courtside for his son’s final ACC Tournament this weekend.

Posted 11:08 p.m. Mar 13, 2009 — Updated 2:28 a.m. Mar 14, 2009

ATLANTA — Tyler Hansbrough has made a name for himself at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has set Atlantic Coast Conference and NCAA records and boasts a list of accomplishments on the hardwood.

As with all big games, his father, Gene Hansbrough, is courtside for his son’s final ACC Tournament this weekend.

“I’m easy to pick out with my haircut on TV,” Gene Hansbrough jokes about his lack of hair.

Gene Hansbrough said his son’s success at Carolina has gone beyond his wildest dreams for his son.

“I never expected for him to be as successful as he was. I never the program to be as wonderful as it was,” Gene Hansbrough said. “The program is terrific. I…never in my wildest dreams imagined how good it would be for Tyler, and Tyler for them.”

Gene Hansbrough said on March 8 – Senior Day – it hit him that his son’s career at Carolina was coming to an end.

“The first 10 minutes in the building, I thought I was going to have to turn around and go back out. It’s just been such a wonderful experience,” he said.

Though he will miss watching his son play for Carolina, Gene Hansbrough said he will cherish his memories of the last four years.

“Ever since Tyler was a little child he wanted to play college basketball and he has been able to realize his dream and live his dream. I’m so happy for him,” he said.

Tyler Hansbrough may achieve another one of his childhood dreams – playing in the NBA. Gene Hansbrough believes his son will do very well on the professional level but he doesn't think anything will ever be as good as his son’s experience in Chapel Hill, playing for the Tar Heels.

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