Hansbrough stays

[R13]

North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough -- The Associated Press national player of the year last season -- will return for his senior year, the school said Friday.

Underclassmen will transform the 2008 NBA draft. Chad Ford takes a look at who's going, who's staying and who's on the fence. Story
However, sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington will declare for the NBA draft, but will not hire agents -- leaving open the possibility of their return.

Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. He led the Tar Heels (36-3) to the winningest season in school history and the Final Four while sweeping the major national player of the year awards. He already has qualified to become the eighth player in school history to have his jersey retired.

Hansbrough's return wasn't a big surprise considering he has long talked about his determination to win a national championship before he leaves school. He enters next season ranked second on the program's career list with 2,168 points, putting him 122 behind Phil Ford for the record. He also is within reach of the Atlantic Coast Conference career mark set by Duke's J.J. Redick (2,769 points) in 2006.

But Hansbrough will have to wait to find out whether the team's second- and third-leading scorers last season will join him in Chapel Hill for another title run.

Ellington, a 6-4 wing guard, averaged nearly 17 points per game and Lawson averaged about 13 while directing coach Roy Williams' fast-paced offense. If the duo comes back, the Tar Heels would return their top eight players while adding one of the nation's best recruiting classes.

The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NBA draft is Sunday. Players who declare for the draft but do not hire an agent have until June 16 to withdraw their names.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ory?id=3367846

[BlueWahooChambordDevil]

hes not stupid

he knows he needs another year in college

[1inStripes]

Heck, he's probably making more at UNC than he ever will in the pro's.

[gcdevil22]

hmmmm...Hansbrough stays but Lawson and Ellington leave...could it be because of feedback from NBA GM's tellin him he wouldn't be a lottery pick??

nah, couldn't be...

[R13]

Lawson and ellington havent completely committed, they didnt hire an gent which means they can still back out

[gcdevil22]

my point still remains

I'm with Hokie on this one, Lawson and Ellington would probably be drafted higher than TH.

[R13]

Im not saying they wouldnt at all, of course they would...I was just saying they may back out