UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot announces return to Tar Heels in 2021

Junior center Armando Bacot announces his return to the UNC basketball program in 2021

North Carolina junior center Armando Bacot announced on Monday night that he plans to return to the Tar Heels in the fall of 2021. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound big man’s return ensures that the Tar Heels will have back their leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker, as well as their most efficient shooter.

Bacot entered his name into the 2021 NBA Draft in early April following the retirement of former UNC head coach Roy Williams. Bacot did not hire an agent, though, leaving open his option to return to North Carolina for his third season of collegiate ball. Bacot was expected by most to return, including first-year head coach Hubert Davis. Now that Bacot has officially removed his name from the draft, Davis retains the Tar Heels’ top player from a season ago, and one that the team will frequently work through on offense.

Bacot averaged 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last season, while shooting nearly 63 percent from the floor. He started 28-of-29 games last season, and recorded double-digit points in 20 of them. He scored 20 or more points twice as a sophomore, and had a team-high seven double-doubles.

There’s a good chance that Bacot will begin the 2021-22 season as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, and a unanimous selection for first team All-ACC.

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