Armando Bacot’s legacy will have one more accolade on what has quickly become a long list. Bacot was named to the USBWA All-America 3rd team on Wednesday March 15th, 2023. He was third at UNC in points per game with 15.9 a game and also led the team in rebounding for the second straight year with 10.4 per game. While more was expected of Bacot and UNC as a whole, it was a solid year nonetheless for UNC’s big man, who led the ACC in rebounds per game. He played in all but one game this season and averaged over 30 minutes per game. He was often the main defensive focus as teams doubled him throughout the season the second he caught the ball on the block.
Bacot returned to this team wanting to win a national championship, but he couldn’t do it alone. It took the team, and the team just could not find a consistent rhythm. Bacot finished the year with 19 double-doubles and was consistent in his efforts on the floor. He said at one point during the season that he was willing to die for the program, and he showed heart when his teammates lacked.
Bacot became UNC’s all time leading rebounder mid-season against NC State, passing Billy Cunningham, “I was just happy to get that weight off my shoulder,” commented Bacot after the game. He is also now at the top of the UNC double-double list, passing Cunningham again. His best game statistically was against Ohio State, where he put up a dominating 28 points and 15 rebounds in the thrilling OT win for the Heels.
Bacot’s future remains up to him. He has one more year of eligibility remaining and it is his choice whether or not to use it. Should he come back, UNC would have experience in the frontcourt and the best rebounder in the ACC. He is with out a doubt one of the greats in UNC basketball history.
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