CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson will return to North Carolina next season instead of entering the NBA draft early.

“I’ve definitely decided that I will be back my junior year,” Hansbrough said Tuesday night after the team’s annual awards ceremony. “Personally, I’m not ready for the next step of the NBA.

“Playing (another) year with coach (Roy) Williams will help me improve my game individually. There’s also some team things that I want to accomplish. College is a great experience for me, and I’d like to be here another year.”

Lawson, who had the best assist-turnover ratio in the Atlantic Coast Conference, announced he would return for his sophomore season.

“I just like being a college basketball player,” Lawson said after the ceremony.

They became the third Tar Heels this week to announce they would return for another season, joining shooting guard Wayne Ellington.

School spokesman Steve Kirschner said ACC rookie of the year Brandan Wright had not made his decision and would have no immediate comment. The early-entry deadline is April 29.

The return of Hansbrough and Lawson wasn’t a huge surprise – both players had said they were leaning toward coming back next season.