- Johnny Dawkins, Tom Konchalski and Herb Magee round out the full list of inductees.
- Coach K spent 42 seasons at Duke and retired in 2022 as the winningest coach in Division I men’s basketball history with 1,202 wins. He was inducted into the inaugural class in 2006 but can now be officially added to the Hall of Fame upon retirement.
- Hansbrough, the 2008 Unanimous National Player of the Year, played for North Carolina from the 2005-06 to 2008-09 season. He is the ACC’s all-time leading scorer, fourth-leading scorer in NCAA Tournament history, and the NCAA’s all-time leading free throw scorer. He was also the only ACC player to lead his team in scoring and rebounding in all four seasons.
- Dawkins played at Duke before serving as an assistant at his alma mater, under Coach K, from 1998 to 2008. Dawkins then went on to coach at Stanford and is currently coaching at UCF. He played for the Blue Devils from 1982 to 1986 and was named National Naismith Player of the Year as a senior.
Athleticism instant analysis:
What is the significance of Dawkins’ induction?
In case the recent ACC Network documentary doesn’t make it obvious, Duke’s class of 1982 was a big deal. In fact, if not for this group of six men – who, as seniors, led a then-unproven Krzyzewski to his first appearance in a national title match – there’s a good chance Krzyzewski won’t. ever become the K trainer we know today. So, as the centerpiece of this class of 1982, Dawkins more than deserves this honor.
If that hadn’t happened 40 years ago, Dawkins’ college career would probably have more credit today. But even still, winning Naismith Player of the Year in 1986 — the same season he led Duke to the national title game against Louisville — is the kind of accolade that endures. Dawkins left Duke as the program’s all-time leading scorer, a title he retained until the early 2000s when JJ Redick finally passed him (he’s still ahead of legends like Christian Laettner, Danny Ferry and current head coach Jon Scheyer). Dawkins’ No. 24 is one of Duke’s 13 retired jerseys, another ode to his enduring legacy. Even now, as head coach of UCF, Dawkins remains one of the most influential people in the history of the Duke program and someone whose presence changed the Blue Devils historical trajectory for the better. .
All that is long to say, as one of the top 10 players Krzyzewski has ever coached, Dawkins deserves more than a Collegiate Hall of Fame induction. — Brands
What is the significance of Hansbrough’s induction?
This one is long overdue, even by Hall of Fame standards. What Hansbrough accomplished in four seasons in North Carolina will probably never be repeated, if not downright impossible. He is the only player in ACC history to be named a four-time First-Team All-American (including three as consensus selections) as well as a four-time All-ACC First-Team player. He was unanimously voted National Player of the Year as a junior in 2008, a feat he continued in 2009 by leading North Carolina to the national title. He is unquestionably one of the top 10 all-time players of the modern era.
Some have undermined Hansbrough’s overall legacy due to his lack of success in the NBA — he was a first-round pick in 2009 and played seven seasons — but at the college level, there were few betters. Hansbrough still holds UNC’s all-time record, and his career rebounding record only fell this season, when Armando Bacot passed him. Beyond North Carolina, Hansbrough is the fourth-highest scorer in NCAA tournament history – behind only Laettner, Elvin Hayes and Danny Manning – as well as the NCAA’s all-time leader in free throws and the only ACC player to lead his team in scoring and rebounding all four seasons in college. The tally stats here are insane, as are the wins and accolades. This is a slam-dunk selection for the most productive player in UNC history, and arguably one of the best talents to ever play at the college level. — Brands
What they say
“I am honored to be inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame,” Hansbrough said in a statement. “Choosing to play in North Carolina was one of the smartest decisions I’ve made. I had the best teammates at UNC and I want to thank them. I also played for the best staff college basketball coaches, and I thank Coach Williams and his staff.
Required reading
(Photo: Jeremy Brevard / USA Today)
