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 ……
In a landmark move celebrating one of the most iconic players in college basketball history, the University of North Carolina (UNC) will unveil a statue of Tyler Hansbrough outside the Dean E. Smith Center this fall. The tribute honors Hansbrough’s legendary career as a Tar Heel and immortalizes the grit, determination, and winning legacy he brought to Chapel Hill.
The statue ceremony is scheduled for September 6, 2025, before UNC’s annual alumni weekend and ahead of the Tar Heels’ first football home game. The bronze sculpture, positioned near the Smith Center entrance, will depict Hansbrough mid-roar—a nod to the emotion and intensity he famously displayed after big plays.
Hansbrough, affectionately known as “Psycho T,” played for UNC from 2005 to 2009. During his collegiate career, he amassed a long list of achievements that cemented his place in Tar Heel lore. He became the first player in ACC history to be named First-Team All-Conference in all four seasons. In 2008, he was named National Player of the Year and led the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2009.
“What Tyler brought to this program can’t be measured just by statistics,” said head coach Hubert Davis. “It was his heart, his hustle, and his absolute refusal to be outworked. He set the standard for what it means to wear Carolina blue.”
Hansbrough is UNC’s all-time leading scorer with 2,872 points—a record that still stands. He also holds the NCAA record for most made free throws in a career (982), a testament to his aggressive, fearless style of play that constantly drew fouls.
The statue was commissioned by the Rams Club, UNC’s athletic fundraising organization, in collaboration with the university and several former teammates and donors. Sculptor Jane DeDecker, known for her expressive sports sculptures, was selected to capture Hansbrough’s passion in bronze.
In a statement, Hansbrough expressed his gratitude: “I’m beyond honored and honestly still in shock. North Carolina gave me everything—opportunity, support, and a second family. To be memorialized like this, right outside the arena I gave everything to, is humbling.”
The unveiling ceremony will include speeches from former coaches Roy Williams and Hubert Davis, several Tar Heel legends, and a special video tribute. The event will be streamed live on the UNC Athletics website and on social media platforms. Watch here: [link placeholder]
Hansbrough’s impact at UNC goes beyond numbers. He embodied the program’s ideals—relentless effort, team-first mentality, and an unbreakable will to win. The statue not only commemorates his individual greatness but serves as an inspiration for future generations of Tar Heels.
As Chapel Hill prepares for the unveiling, one thing is clear: Tyler Hansbrough’s legacy is no longer just written in the record books—it’s etched in bronze.
