College basketball looks vastly different today than it did during Tyler Hansbrough’s playing days at UNC, when he became a household name by spending four years in Chapel Hill and helping lead the Tar Heels to a national championship.
These days, it’s rare to see a player stay at one school for their entire college career. With the transfer portal now giving student-athletes the ability to switch programs with ease, it’s become common to see players suit up for two or even three schools during their college journey. That kind of loyalty and development over time has largely faded from the sport.
Now a sports broadcaster, Hansbrough often weighs in on the changing landscape of college basketball. During a recent appearance on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, he shared his concerns about how the transfer portal is affecting the game he loves.
“I think about the Cinderella stories in 2008 – when there was no NIL and no portal – and all four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four,” Hansbrough said. “I like seeing the best teams in the Final Four – that’s how it should be. But with the portal now, there’s just too much movement. I think it’s hurting the game. I love basketball and want to see high-quality basketball. I don’t think kids are being coached the way they used to be, because they can just leave, and it’s hard to develop players when there’s no stability.”
Player development has indeed become more complicated in today’s environment. In the past, coaches could bring players along gradually, helping them grow into their roles. Now, if an athlete isn’t getting the minutes they expect right away, they often leave for a new opportunity.
This has made long-term roster planning a challenge for programs across the country. Recruiting a high school prospect no longer guarantees a multi-year investment. Between one-and-done players and the ever-present transfer option, coaches are constantly adjusting on the fly.
Hansbrough sees this instability as one of the sport’s biggest issues. And he’s not alone. While the goals remain the same – building strong teams and playing high-level basketball – the path to get there has become far more unpredictable, making it harder than ever for programs to sustain long-term success.
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