Answering The Question The Entire World Is Dying To Know: What Happened To Tyler Hansbrough?

I know it's a question that keeps you up at night. Tossing and turning in bed as you kick out from under the covers, stare directly up at the ceiling, and wonder - What is Tyler Hansbrough doing these days? 

This question was brought up during one of the gambling live streams for Knicks vs Pacers, as we reminisced on Psycho T's playing days with the Indiana Pacers. I'm sure you haven't thought of one of the 2000's most dominate college basketball in forever, but if you're looking for the Tarheel great, he is now going full Psycho T mode on the pickleball court. 

I thought pickleball was supposed to be a relaxing, low impact, hobby for old people, but they've got this maniac running around on the court? I'll pass on ever picking up a paddle and participating. I'm not afraid of competition, but I am terrified of Psycho T. Take one look into his dead, shark eyes, and you can tell he is a lunatic about winning, and will do anything it takes to achieve victory. 

I mean, good for Hansbrough. Some pros struggle to find a replacement for basketball when they retire, but Hansbrough found something to get the competitive juices going now that his playing days are over. I suppose pickleball makes sense considering, back in high school, this mad man said he was good at playing "Texas Style Ping Pong" aka "full contact ping pong." A version of table tennis where when someone scores two points is a row, the opponent has to lift up their shirt, and the scorer gets to laser a ping pong ball at their opponents bare stomach. 

I couldn't imagine a ping pong ball welt from a Psycho T forehand. I doubt there are any regulated Texas Style leagues, but this is exactly the type of game I would picture Hansbrough creating with his friends while growing up in Missouri. Tyler Hansbrough seems like the kid in high school who when you went over to their house, you never knew if you'd make it home alive. There was always the threat of breaking a bone by someone going all out in whatever game you were playing. You kept going back, but you regretted it every time. 

Hansborough was drafted in 09 by the Pacers, and later played some solid back up minutes for the Paul George playoff teams. We even had the legendary brother duo of Tyler and Ben Hansbrough at one point. Hansbrough getting drafted by the Pacers is objectively hilarious because of course Indiana drafts a white guy who is known for his hustle. The Pacers are pretty awful at drafting, and have taken some wild mid 1st round picks, but I guess I can't blame them for taking Hansborough with the 13th pick? The Lakers thought college bball stud Adam Morrison would be a star. Better than coming to the conclusion we needed TJ Leaf or the not good Plumlee brother. 

Watching Hansborough in Indiana was fun, because when he stepped on the court, there was always the x factor of not knowing if he'd go full Psycho T. He'll forever be remembered in Indiana for trading flagrant fouls during the eastern conference semis with the Big 3 Heat. Psycho T hammering D. Wade on a layup, and a minute later, Udonis Haslem returning the favor by demolishing Hanbrough's face with a two handed hulk smash. If only the Heat weren't a super team, then Pacers could have gone to the NBA finals and lost to the Spurs or the Mavs. Those were the days. If only this current Pacers team had someone like Hansbrough to bring the crazy factor, then maybe teams would't question the toughness. *sigh*

Fuck it, Psycho T college highlights ... 

(nothing like a classic YouTube highlight reel from 2009. Using Puddle of Mud for the music might be the whitest thing of all time, but it fits)