Bob Hansen Basketball player

Robert Louis Hansen II (also known as Bob 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.