Tyler Hansbrough Top 12 ACC Greatest Of All Time | The Sports Affiliate

Tyler Hansbrough has had an outstanding Atlantic Coast Conference career with the University of North Carolina, but can he be considered part of the Top 12 Greatest ACC players of all-time.

We must consider the players that have passed through the ACC, such as Michael Jordan, James Worthy, David Thompson, Bobby Hurley, Christian Laettner, Ralph Sampson, Phil Ford, Danny Ferry, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, JJ Redick, Kenny Anderson, Dennis Scott, etc. The list goes on and on with the storied history of the ACC

In the top 12 some of these players can be consider, but some of these cannot be considered. What factors to do we consider? Career Stats? ACC awards? NCAA Awards? Team Championships? Team ACC Championships? Life in the NBA?

Consider Hansbrough’s career:
2006, 2007, 2008 ACC All-Conference Team
2006 ACC Freshman of the Year
2008 ACC Conference Player of the Year
2008 Sports Illustrated and Sporting News National Player of the Year

In his first three seasons he has averaged 20.1 points per game (PPG) and 8.7 rebounds per game (RPG). Here is how he stands with some notables:

Christian Laettner 16.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG
Michael Jordan 17.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG
Danny Ferry 15.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG
Ralph Sampson 16.9 PPG, 11.4 RPG
Tim Duncan 16.5 PPG, 12.3 RPG
Grant Hill 14.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG
Len Bias 16.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG
Kenny Anderson 23 PPG, 5.6 RPG

There are two lists currently floating around the net now, unfortunately they are about five-six years old. Hansbrough was probably graduating from Middle School at that point in time. Here is ESPN Magazine’s top five greatest ACC players of all-time:

1. David Thompson
2. Michael Jordan
3. Christian Laettner
4. Ralph Sampson
5. Phil Ford.

Honorable Mention:
Tim Duncan
Len Bias

For the 50th anniversary the ACC announced their 50 Greatest ACC players of all-time. It does not include an order but here are the 50:

Kenny Anderson (Georgia Tech, 1990-1), Shane Battier (Duke, 1998-2001), Len Bias (Maryland, 1983-6), Elton Brand (Duke, 1998-9), Tom Burleson (NC State, 1971-4), Len Chappell (Wake Forrest, 1960-2), Randolph Childress (Wake Forest, 1991, 1993-5), Billy Cunningham (UNC, 1963-5), Brad Daugherty (UNC, 1983-6), Charlie Davis (Wake Forest, 1969-71), Walter Davis (UNC, 1974-7), Johnny Dawkins (Duke, 1983-6), Juan Dixon (Maryland, 1999-2002), Tim Duncan (Wake Forest, 1994-7), Len Elmore (Maryland, 1972-4), Danny Ferry (Duke, 1986-9), Phil Ford (UNC, 1975-8), Mike Gminski (Duke, 1977-80), Horace Grant (Clemson, 1984-7), Matt Harpring (Georgia Tech, 1995-8), Dickie Hemric (Duke, 1952-5), Art Heyman (Duke, 1961-3), Grant Hill (Duke, 1991-4), Bobby Hurley (Duke, 1990-3), Antawn Jamison (UNC, 1996-8), Bobby Jones (UNC, 1972-4), Michael Jordan (UNC, 1982-4), Albert King (Maryland, 1978-81), Christian Laettner (Duke, 1989-92), Jeff Lamp (Virginia, 1978-81), John Lucas (Maryland, 1973-6), Tom McMillen (Maryland, 1972-4), Larry Miller (UNC, 1966-8), Rodney Monroe (NC State, 1988-91), Jeff Mullins (Duke, 1962-4), Barry Parkhill (Virginia, 1971-3), Sam Perkins (UNC, 1981-4), Mark Price (Georgia Tech, 1983-6), John Roche (South Carolina, 1969-71), Wayne “Tree” Rollins (Clemson, 1974-7), Lennie Rosenbluth (UNC, 1954-7), Ralph Sampson (Virginia, 1980-2), Charlie Scott (UNC, 1968-70), Dennis Scott (Georgia Tech, 1988-90), Ron Shavlik (NC State, 1954-6), Joe Smith (Maryland, 1994-5), David Thompson (NC State, 1993-5), Buck Williams (Maryland, 1979-81), Jason Williams (Duke, 2000-2) and James Worthy (UNC, 1980-2).

So here is The Sports Affiliate’s top 12 greatest ACC players of all-time.

1. David Thompson – Three-time ACC Player of the Year. ’74 NCAA Championship Ring.
2. Christian Laettner – Four NCAA Final Fours.
3. Michael Jordan – If he didn’t have a successful NBA career would he be in the Top 25 greatest players of all-time? He did win a ring in his freshman year with a game winning shot.
4. Phil Ford – Only player in ACC with 2000 points and 600 assists.
5. Ralph Sampson – Three-time ACC Player of the Year
6. Tim Duncan – Player of the Year in 1997. Second all-time in blocks in the NCAA.
7. Grant Hill – First player in NCAA history with 1900 points, 700 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals, and 100 blocked shots.
8. Bobby Hurley – NCAA career assists record with 1076. Final Four MVP in 1992.
9. Len Bias – Two-time ACC Player of the Year.
10. JJ Redick – Two-time ACC Player of the year.
11. Kenny Anderson – Averaged 23 points, 7.0 assists per game.
12. Brad Daugherty – Two-time first team All ACC. No 3. In ACC history in field goal percentage.

There is not one person that would disagree that David Thompson is THE greatest ACC player of all-time.

Again Jordan wouldn’t be on the list if he didn’t have a prolific NBA career. The rest is arguably between the greatest Duke and UNC players. I would throw in some Maryland players, such as Juan Dixon in the top 25.

Ralph Sampson was a beast. The dude was a big guy; it was too bad his bad knees couldn’t hold up. He would have lasted longer in today’s time if he had access to the medical resources today.

Tim Duncan I think is a sleeper only because he was a quiet player. I put Kenny Anderson in the top 12 because this guy was a baller, although he only played two years I didn’t hold it against him. Part of the Lethal Weapon 3 at Georgia Tech, that team probably could have taken Georgia Tech to the next level had they stayed together another year.

Would you put Hansbrough in this class? Is he one of the ACC greatest players of all-time? Is he in the top 12 ACC greatest players of all-time?

I guess we will probably have to wait till the 60th Anniversary or the 75th Anniversary edition of the ACC greatest players of all-time. We will probably have to wait till Hansbrough turns pro. He is projected to be a late first rounder or the 21st pick by NBA Draft.net.

- The Sports Affiliate