UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot signs first NIL deal

It’s a new age of college athletics as players were allowed to benefit from their name, image and likeness beginning on July 1. And one UNC Basketball player has already taken advantage.

Center Armando Bacot announced via Twitter that he had reached a deal with popular seafood joint Jimmy’s FamousSeafood out of Maryland. The deal came just hours after the new NIL rule was placed into effect, giving college athletes the chance to benefit by making some money.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood wasted no time getting Bacot onto a deal following his big sophomore season in Chapel Hill were he led the Tar Heels in scoring. Bacot recently announced he was returning for another season, opting not to go the pro route.

With Bacot back, UNC has a potential Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year candidate and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood has a big opportunity for more exposure as well.

The Maryland-based seafood company has a location in Baltimore as well as a food truck that travels around. They are known for their delicious seafood including their famous Maryland crab cakes. They have also been featured on the Food Network, Beat Bobby Flay, Diners Drive-in’s and Dives, as well as the travel channel.

Bacot finished the season averaging 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 62.8 percent from the field. He was also tied for first in block shots on the team with 26. Another big year in Chapel Hill will boost Bacot’s stock and potentially make him a lottery pick for the 2022 NBA Draft.

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