College Basketball | Standout Tar Heel intends to return

Tyler Hansbrough wants to make one more run at the national championship. The North Carolina forward will have to wait to find out whether two solid teammates will be back to help him.

The Associated Press national player of the year said Friday that he will return for his senior season. But sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington are declaring for the NBA draft, though they won't hire agents — leaving open the possibility of their return.

The 6-foot-9 Hansbrough averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Tar Heels (36-3) and swept the major national player-of-the-year awards. He will be the first returning AP national player of the year since 1991 winner Shaquille O'Neal of Louisiana State.

"I love my collegiate experience and want to finish my four years here, then move on to my next dream of playing in the NBA," Hansbrough said in a statement. "I am very relieved that this decision is behind us and I can concentrate on my academic work and improving my game for next season."

Hansbrough has often talked about his drive to win a national championship before he leaves Chapel Hill. He is called "Psycho T" because of his relentless inside play and work ethic.

Guards Ellington and Lawson said in statements that they would remain in good academic standing while working out for pro teams to learn more about their draft potential. Players who declare but do not hire an agent have until June 16 to withdraw their names from the draft.

If Ellington and Lawson come back, the team would return its top eight players.

Notes

• Pittsburgh forward Sam Young said he will return for his senior season.

• Brigham Young guard Lee Cummard, a junior, is entering the draft but will not hire an agent.

• Indiana will allow new coach Tom Crean time for off-campus recruiting after originally denying it because of self-imposed sanctions.

Ex-Marquette coach Crean will have 10 off-campus recruiting days until July 31, a spokesman said.

• Louisiana State coach Trent Johnson, a former Washington assistant who left Stanford to take the LSU job, will make at least $1.2 million a year on a five-year contract. Johnson could earn an extra $600,000 a year if LSU plays in postseason games and up to $200,000 more if the team meets certain academic goals.