Bob Hansen
Encyclopedia
Robert Louis Hansen II (also known as Bob (or Bobby) Hansen) (born January 18, 1961 in Des Moines, Iowa
) is an American
former professional basketball
player. A 6'6" guard, he played nine seasons (1983–1992) in the National Basketball Association
.
Hansen was a standout at Christ The King Elementary school and was a four year starter and star at West Des Moines Dowling High School
in 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. His success in high school made him a prized recruit
for coach Lute Olson
and the University of Iowa
, where Hansen played a key role on the Hawkeyes team that reached the 1980 Final Four
. As a senior in 1983, he was named as Iowa's Most Valuable Player
, and was selected by the Utah Jazz
in the third round of the 1983 NBA Draft
.
Los Angeles Lakers
guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson said Hansen's tough, hard-nosed defensive style would often get him properly prepared for the physical toll of the NBA Playoffs
. Although he earned his ability to guard Magic in 40 playoff games for the Jazz from 1984–90, it was in nine post-season games with the Bulls he earned his only championship ring.
Hansen played eight solid seasons as a part-time starter for the Utah Jazz
and Sacramento Kings
, but he is best known for his heroics with the Chicago Bulls
during the 1992 NBA Finals
. During game six, the Bulls, who held a 3-2 series lead over the Portland Trail Blazers
, were trailing by 15 points after three quarters. Coach Phil Jackson
decided to pull Michael Jordan
from the game in favor of Hansen, hoping for an extra jolt, and Hansen delivered immediately with a three-pointer and a steal
off Jerome Kersey
. With Jordan on the bench for the majority of the quarter, the Bulls were able to rally for a 97-93 victory, thus winning their second consecutive NBA championship.
Having won his championship ring, Hansen retired from the NBA in 1992. Hansen now is a color-commentator for University of Iowa basketball broadcasts. He calls games with Gary Dolphin
. He has also run many summer basketball camps for Chicago-area children. He was named to the Des Moines Register
Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. A 6'6" guard, he played nine seasons (1983–1992) in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
Hansen was a standout at Christ The King Elementary school and was a four year starter and star at West Des Moines Dowling High School
Dowling Catholic High School
Dowling Catholic High School is a Catholic secondary school in West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.-Background:...
in the late 1970s. As a senior, he averaged 26 points and eleven rebounds per game to lead his team to an Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
Class 4-A boys' basketball championship in 1979. His success in high school made him a prized recruit
Recruit
Recruit can refer to:* a recently enlisted member of a military or paramilitary corps, still in training, as in :** Army recruit** Seaman Recruit...
for coach Lute Olson
Lute Olson
Robert Luther "Lute" Olson is a retired American men's basketball coach. He was most recently head coach at the University of Arizona for a period of 25 years. He was also head coach at the University of Iowa for 9 years and California State University, Long Beach for one season...
and the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, where Hansen played a key role on the Hawkeyes team that reached the 1980 Final Four
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. As a senior in 1983, he was named as Iowa's Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
, and was selected by the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the third round of the 1983 NBA Draft
1983 NBA Draft
The 1983 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1983 in New York City. A total of 226 players were selected over 10 rounds by the league's 23 teams. At least three players from the 1983 draft now serve as coaches...
.
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson said Hansen's tough, hard-nosed defensive style would often get him properly prepared for the physical toll of the NBA Playoffs
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
. Although he earned his ability to guard Magic in 40 playoff games for the Jazz from 1984–90, it was in nine post-season games with the Bulls he earned his only championship ring.
Hansen played eight solid seasons as a part-time starter for the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, but he is best known for his heroics with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
during the 1992 NBA Finals
1992 NBA Finals
The 1992 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1991–92 NBA season. The Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference took on the Portland Trail Blazers of the Western Conference for the title, with Chicago having home court advantage, as they had the best record in the NBA.The two teams appeared...
. During game six, the Bulls, who held a 3-2 series lead over the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
, were trailing by 15 points after three quarters. Coach Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
decided to pull Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
from the game in favor of Hansen, hoping for an extra jolt, and Hansen delivered immediately with a three-pointer and a steal
Steal (basketball)
In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting to a teammate a pass or dribble of an offensive player...
off Jerome Kersey
Jerome Kersey
Jerome Kersey is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association for a number of teams, but most notably for the Portland Trail Blazers. He also has served in various coaching roles in the NBA. Kersey is currently a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon in...
. With Jordan on the bench for the majority of the quarter, the Bulls were able to rally for a 97-93 victory, thus winning their second consecutive NBA championship.
Having won his championship ring, Hansen retired from the NBA in 1992. Hansen now is a color-commentator for University of Iowa basketball broadcasts. He calls games with Gary Dolphin
Gary Dolphin
Gary Dolphin is an American sports broadcaster. He is currently the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football and men's basketball teams for Learfield Sports and the Iowa Hawkeye Sports Network. Learfield Sports represents over 50 colleges across 31 states...
. He has also run many summer basketball camps for Chicago-area children. He was named to the Des Moines Register
Des Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. A separate edition of the Register is sold throughout much of Iowa.-History:...
Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
External links
- Stats at basketball-reference.com
- Hansen in Iowa Sports Hall of Fame, at the Des Moines Register