Tyler Hansbrough has improved his draft stock in recent weeks, but could still be the last player taken in the Green Room on Thursday.

If that's the case, the former National Player of the Year is fine with it.

"I wasn't really thinking about that," Hansbrough said on Wednesday about his decision to attend the draft. "I was thinking more, you know, this is an opportunity that I've been waiting for ... I wanted to be there when I got drafted so that I could have a picture with the Commissioner later on down the road."

Amid a host of underclassmen, Hansbrough will enter the NBA with four years of college experience. He is North Carolina's all-time leading rebounder, and will be 24 this fall.

He choose to stay in school, but agrees that players should be able to come out when they feel the time is right.

"Everyone has their own opinion," Hansbrough said. "I think, after high school you have to make decisions on your own. That's part of growing up and getting past those years. Also, I think you should do what makes you happy. For me it was staying in school and being around people that I really enjoyed for four years. People do what they want. Some aren't as lucky as me, and in the situation I was with the coaches and teammates I had."

He's a high-energy guy, and believes that being more polished could endear him to some teams.

"I'm a high-energy guy. I'm a proven guy. I don't need time to develop. I'll come in right away and help out a team. I'm a very good offensive rebounder, and my mid-range game has really improved," he said when asked to list his strengths.

He has been by far the most criticized player at the top half of this year's draft class, but refuses to listen to critics.

"Everybody has their own opinion. The one thing that has helped my stock is that I've proven that I am athletic, but people are going to say what they want," Hansbrough said.

When asked what people have been saying negatively about him, he reiterated the confidence he has in himself.

"I don't know, I mean it's you guys. It's not me saying the stuff, and I told you that I don't listen to it so when you guys come up here and ask me 'why do people doubt you?' I don't know. I'm not doubting, I'm confident."