Bob Hansen

This article is about the basketball player. For the baseball player, seeBob Hansen (baseball).For other people with similar names, seeRobert Hansen (disambiguation).

Bob Hansen

Hansen, circa 1988
Personal information
Born	(1961-01-18)January 18, 1961 Des Moines, Iowa,U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school	Dowling(West Des Moines, Iowa)
College	Iowa(1979–1983)
NBA draft	1983:3rd round, 54th overall pick
Selected by theUtah Jazz
Playing career	1983–1992
Position	Shooting guard
Number	20
Career history
1983–1990	Utah Jazz
1990–1991	Sacramento Kings
1991–1992	Chicago Bulls
Career highlights and awards
NBA champion(1992)
Career statistics
Points	3,952
Rebounds	1,282
Assists	947
Statsat NBA
Statsat Basketball Reference
Medals Men'sbasketball RepresentingUnited States FIBA U19 World Championship 1979 Salvador National team

Robert Louis Hansen II(born January 18, 1961) is an American former professionalbasketballplayer. A 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) guard, he played nine seasons (1983–1992) in theNational Basketball Association( NBA ). Hansen is currently a commentator forIowa Hawkeyesbasketball broadcasts.

Early years

Hansen attended Christ The King Elementary school and was a four-year starter at West Des MoinesDowling High Schoolin the late 1970s. As a senior, he averaged 26 points and eleven rebounds per game to lead his team to an Iowa Class 4-A boys' basketball championship in 1979.

University of Iowa

His success in high school made him a prized recruit for head coachLute Olsonand the Iowa Hawkeyes, where Hansen played a key role on the team that reached the 1980Final Four.

Hanson averaged 5.6 ppg as a freshman in 1979–1980 as Iowa reached the Final Four. He averaged 8.4 in 1980–1981 as Iowa finished 21–7. He led the 21–8 Hawkeyes with 12.0 ppg in 1981–1982. As a senior in 1982–1983, he helped lead Iowa to the NCAA Sweet 16, averaging 15.4 points and 5.7 rebounds.

As a senior in 1983, he was named as the Hawkeyes'Most Valuable Player.

Professional career

Hansen was selected by theUtah Jazzin the third round of the1983 NBA draft,the 54th overall pick.Hansen appeared in 55 games during his rookie season with the Jazz, averaging 2.7 points per game and 7.6 minutes per game. By the1985–86 season,Hansen was a regular starter for the Jazz. He was also one of three Jazz players named NBA Player of the Week (March 6, 1986) during the season, joining teammatesJohn StocktonandKarl Malone.Hansen's highest scoring average, 9.7 points per game, came during the1986–87 season.During the1990 All-Star weekend,Hansen participated in the three-point challenge, finishing fourth.

Hansen never missed the playoffs in his tenure with the Jazz, while reaching theWestern Conferencesemifinals in both1984and1988.On June 25, 1990, Hansen was involved in a three-team deal in which the Jazz acquiredJeff Malonefrom theWashington Bullets,the Bullets acquiredPervis Ellisonfrom theSacramento Kings,and the Kings acquired Hansen,Eric Leckner,and two draft picks from the Jazz.

To begin the 1990–91 season, Hansen suited up for the Kings, where he would play for chieflyone season,appearing in just two games for the1991–92 Kingsbefore Hansen and the Kings' 1992 second-round pick were traded forDennis Hopsonof theChicago Bulls.In his final NBA season, and perhaps his best known, Hansen appeared in 66 regular season games and, along withCraig Hodges,served as back-up guard toMichael Jordan.Hansen, who averaged 2.5 points per contest heading into the1992 NBA Playoffs,would have arguably his most memorable professional contribution during the1992 NBA Finals.During Game 6, the Bulls, who held a 3–2 series lead over thePortland Trail Blazers,were trailing by 15 points after three quarters. Head coachPhil Jacksondecided to pull Jordan from the game in favor of Hansen,hoping for an extra jolt to start what looked to be the final corner of a Finals looking to require seven games to determine a champion. According to longtime Bulls writer Sam Smith, Jackson may have wanted to rest his starters considering no team had ever come back from a 15-point deficit to win an NBA championship,and Hansen started the fourth quarter with athree-pointer,his only field goal of the game, and astealoffJerome Kersey.Hansen confirmed with the defending Finals MVP Jordan whether he wanted to re-enter the game, but Jordan declined.Scottie Pippenled a 14–2 Bulls rally,and, along with Hansen and fellow reserve big manStacey King,helped the Bulls get within three points by the time Jordan was put back in the game to replace Hansen. The Bulls completed the comeback, eventually rallying for a 97–93 victory and winning their second consecutive NBA championship. Hansen was the only player on the roster who had not won a ring with the Bulls during the1991 Finalsand after the Game 6 win, Jordan repeatedly stated, "I'm glad for Bobby Hansen."When Hansen gave Jordan the game ball, Jordan replied, "I told you I'd get you that ring."Hansen had logged 5 minutes of game time, while Jordan played in 43 minutes.

After retirement

Having won his championship ring, Hansen retired from the NBA in 1992. Hansen is a color-commentator for Iowa Hawkeyes' basketball broadcasts. He calls games withGary Dolphin.He has also run many summer basketball camps for Chicago-area children.

Former joins Iowa teammates Kevin Boyle andSteve Carfinoas basketball analysts. Mark Gannon is also a former analyst.

Hanson sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" atWrigley Fieldfor the 7th Inning Stretch of theChicago Cubs' game on August 31, 2012.

Honors

He was named to theDes Moines RegisterIowa Sports Hall of Famein 1999.

External links

• Stats at basketball-reference