UNC to Unveil Statue of Tyler Hansbrough Outside Dean E. Smith Center: Honoring the Heart, Hustle, and Championship Spirit of a Tar Heel Legend…..Watch here >>
CHAPEL HILL, NC — June 18, 2025 — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is set to honor one of its most iconic basketball legends in grand fashion. On Saturday, June 21, UNC will unveil a life-size statue of Tyler Hansbrough outside the Dean E. Smith Center, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in Tar Heel history.
Nicknamed “Psycho T” for his relentless intensity on the court, Hansbrough’s name has become synonymous with the golden era of Carolina basketball. The unveiling ceremony is expected to draw thousands of fans, alumni, and former teammates, as well as current and former coaching staff, in what will be a celebration of heart, hustle, and championship excellence.
The statue, sculpted by renowned sports artist Brian Hanlon, depicts Hansbrough in mid-roar, wearing his signature No. 50 jersey — a pose immortalized during his legendary performances in Chapel Hill. Positioned just outside the main entrance of the Smith Center, the statue will serve as a permanent reminder of the grit, determination, and love for the game that Hansbrough embodied throughout his collegiate career.
“Tyler Hansbrough is one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever coached,” said Roy Williams, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Tar Heels to a national title in 2009 with Hansbrough as the team’s anchor. “He gave everything he had, every single day. No one outworked him. He represents what Carolina Basketball is all about.”
Hansbrough played for UNC from 2005 to 2009, amassing a list of accomplishments that place him among the all-time greats in college basketball. He is the NCAA’s all-time leader in made free throws and remains the all-time leading scorer in both UNC and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history. A four-time All-ACC selection and three-time consensus All-American, Hansbrough won the Naismith and Wooden Awards in 2008 before helping lead the Tar Heels to the national championship in 2009.
More than just his stats, it was Hansbrough’s fearless style of play and unmatched motor that captured the hearts of fans. Whether diving for loose balls or battling through double teams in the paint, he was the emotional leader of a UNC program that thrived on toughness and togetherness.
UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham called the statue a “fitting tribute” to a player who defined an era of excellence. “Tyler inspired a generation of Tar Heels with his commitment and passion,” said Cunningham. “This statue will not only honor his contributions but will also serve as an inspiration to every player who walks through the doors of the Smith Center.”
The event on Saturday will feature speeches from Roy Williams, current UNC head coach Hubert Davis, and Hansbrough himself. Fans can expect a lively ceremony, complete with highlights from Hansbrough’s career, a special video tribute, and the live unveiling of the bronze figure. The university will also stream the event online for those who cannot attend in person.
Hansbrough, now an analyst and occasional broadcaster, expressed gratitude and humility ahead of the ceremony. “To be honored like this by a place that means so much to me is surreal,” Hansbrough said in a statement. “Chapel Hill will always be home. I gave everything I had for Carolina, and Carolina gave me everything in return.”
The statue unveiling marks a new chapter in UNC’s rich basketball tradition — one that not only celebrates past glory but inspires future greatness. It stands not just as a likeness of a player, but as a symbol of everything that makes Carolina Basketball special.
Watch the full unveiling ceremony here >> (Link to stream)
