Bob Hansen

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This article is about the basketball player Bob Hansen. For the serial killer, see Robert Hansen. For the FBI double agent, see Robert Hanssen

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. He lives in Geneva, Ill.

Hansen 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 and led 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 Olsen 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, Hansen was named as Iowa's Most Valuable Player, and he 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 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 of the Finals, 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 that Hansen would give the team an extra jolt, and Hansen delivered immediately with a three-pointer and a steal off Jerome Kersey. With Michael 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. Since then, he has worked as a radio analyst for Iowa basketball games. 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.

[edit] External links

• Career stats at basketball-reference.com
• Bobby Hansen at the Des Moines Register Iowa Sports Hall of Fame