Hansbrough to miss practice indefinitely

Oct 31, 2008 - 2:57 AM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Tyler Hansbrough, the reigning national player of the year, will sit out practice indefinitely due to a shin injury, North Carolina announced Thursday.

Hansbrough is sidelined with a stress reaction in his right shin, an injury that was revealed by an MRI on Thursday.

So far, the Tar Heels have not set a timetable for the 6-9 senior's return. According to the school, coach Roy Williams will not issue a statement about the matter until Friday when he is expected to meet with both the school's medical staff and Hansbrough.

Last season, Hansbrough averaged 22.6 points and 10.6 rebounds as North Carolina won a school-record 36 games and reached the Final Four for the first time in three years.

Hansbrough has never missed a game in his three-year career with the Tar Heels, who will open the season against Pennsylvania on November 15.