Hansbrough To Deliver UNC’s New Student Convocation Address

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—Tyler Hansbrough, one of the most decorated and accomplished players in college basketball history, will serve as the keynote speaker at the New Student Convocation in the Dean E. Smith Center, home to many of his on-court achievements, on Sunday, August 17.

The hour-long event will start at 5:30 p.m. and will also include remarks from Chancellor Lee H. Roberts, Interim Provost Jim Dean, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Amy Johnson and Student Body President Adolfo Alvarez.

Roberts first announced Hansbrough would be the Convocation speaker at last Thursday's Board of Trustees meeting.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome more than 6,000 first-year and transfer students to campus," Roberts said. "We look forward to kicking off the academic year with them at Convocation, where we are delighted to have Tar Heel legend Tyler Hansbrough as our guest speaker. I know he will share an inspiring message, and it's going to be a fun and exciting day for these new Tar Heels."

Hansbrough is the only four-time first-team All-America and All-ACC player in Atlantic Coast Conference history. He led the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA championship and is the ACC's all-time leading scorer with 2,872 points. Hansbrough holds the NCAA record for made free throws (982) and is the fourth-leading scorer in NCAA Tournament history (325 points). He was the unanimous National Player of the Year in 2008 and was inducted in the National College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my four years at Carolina as a student and am honored to help the chancellor and university kick off a new year by speaking at Convocation," said Hansbrough. "The start of another school year is always an exciting time, especially for all the new students. It should be fun to once again spend time with a group of enthusiastic students at the Smith Center, a place where I shared many great memories with UNC fans."

Hansbrough was the 13th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He would go on to play professionally for almost 11 years. He has served as a men's basketball radio analyst the last two seasons on the Tar Heel Sports Network.

Convocation doors open at 4 p.m. and parking is available in the Skipper Bowles Lot.

Following Convocation, students will walk to Kenan Stadium for the annual FallFest event from 6:30-10 p.m. The Bell Tower will be lit Carolina Blue at 9 p.m. to mark the start of the academic year.

Related Videos