UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot bigger and better than ever?

UNC commit Armando Bacot is making strides with his body, and game.

Armando Bacot is the face of North Carolina’s 2019 recruiting class, and he’s not taking that lightly.

Since committing to the Tar Heels in August of last year, the 5-star center has worked to reshape his body, and polish his game. He’s been outspoken about his love for the university, and taken it upon himself to help recruit other elite prospects in the class.

Bacot has spent time in conversation with high-profile UNC targets, hoping to bolster the Tar Heels’ 2019 class just a bit more before he arrives on campus this summer. Among the targets that Bacot has spoken to about joining him in Chapel Hill are Cole Anthony and Keion Brooks. Both Anthony and Brooks have named North Carolina as a finalist in their respective recruitments.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Bacot has already become an ambassador for the school he’s yet to enroll at, and he’ll be a fan favorite from day one — the fact that he picked North Carolina over Duke will certainly aid in that. By all accounts, Bacot projects as a savvy, intelligent, coachable, high-character individual that, by the way, happens to be an extremely skilled basketball player, too.

In a piece published on Wednesday morning, Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans talked about Bacot, and what he brings to the Tar Heels in 2019.

"“The Tar Heels have an absolute gem headed their way in the form of five-star center Armando Bacot,” Evans said. Their latest recruiting win is tailor-made for what Roy Williams wants in his big men. Uberly polished and with a much-improved physical profile, Bacot put together a solid stat line on Sunday [Hoophall Classic] of 10 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two assists. While those numbers might not jump off of the page, Bacot is the type of guy who can complete whatever task is asked of him.”"

Bacot definitely looks and sounds like the type of player that will fit perfectly into a Roy Williams-coached team. Not only that, but his size and skill in the Tar Heels’ front court will be a welcomed sight after missing on every high-profile big man since Tony Bradley in 2016.

And Bacot’s current role as a recruiter only makes him that much more valuable to the program and its 2019 freshman class. Evans went on to talk about that, and which prospects he sees as the most likely to follow Bacot to Chapel Hill next season.

"“. . . Tar Heel fans are hoping that Keion Brooks, Precious Achiuwa, Anthony Edwards or Cole Anthony will join him [Bacot],” Evans said. “The likeliest are Brooks and Anthony, and while Anthony sat out his team’s contest over the weekend, Brooks did not, and he bolstered his stock with his three-level scoring abilities and willingness to guard different positions. Much has been made about UNC’s recruiting misses of late, but there is reason for optimism that the Tar Heels can complete their senior class on a high note.”"

Bacot is the No. 20 overall prospect in the class of 2019 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s the sixth-ranked center in the class, and the No. 5 prospect in the state of Florida.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Bacot, and the Tar Heels’ 2019 recruiting class.