UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot named Top 10 on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award

The UNC basketball program is getting set for one of their toughest games of the season as they host No. 9 Duke on Saturday in the Dean Dome. It’s a huge game for the Tar Heels as it gives them an opportunity to earn their first Quad 1 win of the year.

But as UNC gets ready for that game, one player earned a bit of an honor.

On Friday, Armando Bacot was one of 10 players named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch list, honoring the best center in college basketball. Bacot was joined by Walker Kessler (Auburn), Zach Edey (Purdue), Hunter Dickenson (Michigan), Mark Williams (Duke), Kofi Cockburn (Illinois), Adama Sanogo (UCONN),  Drew Timme (Gonzaga), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky), and Nate Watson (Providence).

The junior has been fantastic for the Tar Heels this season and enters Saturday’s game averaging 16.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He’s second in the nation with 17 double-doubles this season. Bacot also leads the ACC in double-doubles, rebounding and offensive rebounds.

UNC enters a very important stretch of their season here in February as they are currently slotted as a No. 10 seed in ESPN’s latest bracketology. With the Tar Heels four-game win streak, they have moved up from near bubble range and Bacot has been a big reason why. After returning for another season despite testing the draft waters, Bacot has by far been UNC’s best player and will continue to be key down the stretch.

The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will trim the list of 10 players down to 5 in late February with fans voting for their favorites. The winner will then be announced later on in the Spring with a ceremony.

For more on the UNC Basketball program and Bacot, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.