UNC Basketball: Bacot named to Sporting News All-America team

UNC basketball standout Armando Bacot has earned a spot on Sporting News’ 2022-2023 college basketball All-American teams. 

As announced on Tuesday afternoon, UNC basketball standout Armando Bacot has earned All-American honors from The Sporting News.

Bacot was selected as a third-team All-American, as the senior big man is the only player from the Atlantic Coast Conference to be named to any of the teams. This honor is voted on by reporters and analysts who closely cover the game across the United States, as this award is one of just four that are identified by the NCAA for inclusion in the development of the annual consensus All-America team.

Here is the overview that The Sporting News provided regarding Bacot’s selection:

"This has not been the season either Bacot or Carolina imagined after they were ranked No. 1 in the preseason polls and he was identified as a potential player of the year candidate. He averaged a double-double, though, at 16.5 points and 10.8 rebounds and had a run of five consecutive 20-point games. That ended when he injured his ankle early in a game at Virginia, and he hit that mark only twice in the remaining 14 regular season games. It would not be surprising if he was less than 100 percent for at least some portion, if not all, of that stretch."

Of course, the Tar Heels haven’t lived up to their preseason expectations, but Bacot has continued to be a dominant force in the paint. Even while dealing with injuries, the senior big man was still able to average a double-double, as he earned first-team All-ACC honors for his efforts.

Bacot and the UNC basketball program will focus their attention on the upcoming ACC Tournament, as they hope to find a way to make a final effort to earn an NCAA Tournament bid.

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