Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 high school basketball senior power forward from Poplar Bluff, Mo., orally committed Monday to the University of North Carolina. He chose the Tar Heels over Kansas University, Missouri and Kentucky.

“Throughout the process, I met a lot of great people and coaches. My decision was to choose the best school for me, North Carolina,” Hansbrough said at a news conference at his high school. “My reason is coach (Roy) Williams, his track record. I think he’s a coach I’ll look forward to playing for.”

Hansbrough, the No. 8-ranked player by rivals.com, is a possible entrant in the 2005 NBA draft.