Indiana Pacers: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers react in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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3. Tyler Hansbrough

Tyler Hansbrough could never match his unparalleled college excellence in the NBA. That tends to obscure the fact that he was a fairly solid bench player for the Pacers for several seasons.

“Psycho T” was selected 13th overall by Indiana in the 2009 NBA Draft. The power forward entered the league with a shin injury, a sign of what was to come during that rookie season, when he also dealt with an inner ear infection. Ultimately, Hansbrough played 29 games in 2009-10, averaging 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

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His second season was his best with the Pacers and his best in the NBA. Hansbrough played in 70 games, starting 29 of them. He averaged 11.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, both of which are career-highs for the big man.

The latter half of his Pacers career saw Hansbrough return to the bench semi-permanently, but he managed to play decently from that role. In 2011-12, he averaged 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. In 2012-13, it was 7.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

After his fourth season, the Pacers made a qualifying offer before rescinding it, letting him sign with the Toronto Raptors. He spent three more seasons in the NBA, never quite validating his lottery pick selection, but still carving out a solid career. He began this season with the Sichuan Blue Whales in the CBA.

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