Hansbrough is AP All-American, again

The preseason pressure just keeps building for North Carolina and Poplar Bluff native Tyler Hansbrough. Here's the story from the Associated Press:

It's no surprise Tyler Hansbrough made The Associated Press' preseason All-America team -- this is his record third straight year as its leading vote-getter. For the first time, however, the North Carolina forward was a unanimous selection.

Joining Hansbrough on the team Monday were UCLA guard Darren Collison, also a repeat from last year's preseason team, Davidson guard Stephen Curry, Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin.

Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 senior and the reigning national player of the year, was placed on all 72 ballots by the same media panel that selects the weekly Top 25. Hansbrough missed being a unanimous pick last season by one vote, and he fell seven votes shorts as a sophomore.

The preseason team was first selected before the 1986-87 season. The last unanimous pick was Duke guard Jason Williams in 2001-02, and the last repeat selection was Michigan State guard Mateen Cleaves in 1999-00.

Hansbrough averaged 22.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in leading the Tar Heels to a school-record 36 wins and the Final Four last season. He will miss about two weeks of practice after being diagnosed last week with a stress reaction in his right shin.

"Of course, we are all disappointed for Tyler and our team, but everybody on the roster has a chance to do a little more and play a little better to help make up for the loss of the national player of the year," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said.

Hansbrough has played in all 108 games in his first three seasons and he did not miss a practice his first two years and only one as a junior.

Hansbrough was a second-team All-America after his sophomore season and was a unanimous pick after last season. He is the first national player of the year to return to school since Shaquille O'Neal at LSU in 1991.

"To no one's surprise Tyler didn't rest on his previous accomplishments," Williams said. "He worked hard in the offseason to become an even better player. He has grown so much as a person and a player throughout his career and it has been a joy to watch."

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