When UNC legend Roy Williams recalled how his recruiting trip for Tyler Hansbrough turned into a "date" with wife

Recruiting trips are rarely predictable, but for former North Carolina coach Roy Williams, one misadventure in 2004 turned a planned visit to see Tyler Hansbrough into an unexpected detour with his wife, Wanda.

As Williams recounted in a September 2017 column in The News & Observer, the initial plan involved flying to Missouri to personally scout Hansbrough, a highly sought-after prospect at the time, from Poplar Bluff High School.

Williams and his wife chartered a private plane for what he hoped would be a straightforward visit. However, their plans unraveled when the weather took a turn for the worse, derailing the recruiting mission.

After landing in Arkansas, Roy Williams contacted Gene Hansbrough, Tyler’s father, who firmly warned him against driving in Missouri because of the icy weather conditions. As a result, Williams had to return to North Carolina without seeing or meeting the young forward, but turned this setback into an opportunity to spend quality time with his wife.

"The bottom line is, I took my bride on a private plane from North Carolina to Jonesboro, Arkansas, borrowed a car, went over to Sonic, got two cheeseburgers, two chicken sandwiches for the pilots, and got on the plane to come back," Williams said. "And I told her, congratulations, this is the best date you’ve ever been on."

Hansbrough eventually committed to play for Williams and the Tar Heels after his campus visit in January 2004.

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Tyler Hansbrough described Roy Williams' impact on his decision to join UNC

Tyler Hansbrough had an impressive four-year run at North Carolina under Roy Williams and is considered the most decorated player in program history. He completed college in 2009 with an NCAA title.

Hansbrough was a consensus first-team All-American three times, the ACC Player of the Year, National Player of the Year and ACC Tournament MVP. His jersey number 50 was hung up in the Smith Center rafters at UNC.

During an "Ask Me Anything" session with Bleacher Report in 2021, Hansbrough shared his college memories, including his decision to play for Williams. A fan asked why he chose to play for the Tar Heels.

"Coach Williams, when he started recruiting me, I felt like he recruited me harder," Hansbrough said. "I felt like UNC was the best place. It was the best decision of my life, becoming a part of this family."

Roy Williams would win another national championship in 2017, making it his third, before retiring in 2021.