Around Plymouth, the Hansons are somewhat of a basketball dynasty. All of Barb and Tim Hanson’s eight boys have played the sport for Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park, starting with the oldest son Andrew, who is now 29. The rest of the boys—Matthew (28), Daniel (26), Stephen (25), David (24), Joshua (21), Isaiah (17) and Jeremiah (16)—followed suit.
But their talent doesn’t stop at high school, nor does it stop at basketball. Case in point: Andrew and Joshua went on to play college baseball; David played basketball for California Polytechnic State University on a full-ride scholarship; Stephen won a national title while playing basketball for Northwestern College in St. Paul; and Matthew plays professional basketball in Australia. And that’s just to name a few of their accomplishments. The Hansons also have two girls: Jennifer (30) and Faith (19), both of whom have actively participated in sports such as volleyball and adapted soccer.
Although father Tim never played basketball, he recently discovered his children’s skills are deeply rooted in his family history. “My dad passed away last summer, and at the reception afterwards, some of his uncles told me that even back then the Hanson boys were big-time basketball players,” he says.
Their aptitude for basketball could be hereditary, but Tim believes that the camaraderie as well as competition between his boys is the key to their success. “They push each other,” Tim says. “They share what they learn with each other. That’s a big plus.”
