The truth behind Dawson Garcia leaving the UNC basketball program is revealed

Armando Bacot explained why Garcia elected to leave the UNC basketball program midway through the season.
Nov 5, 2021; Chapel Hill, NC, USA;  North Carolina Tar Heels forward Dawson Garcia (13) with the ball in the first half at Dean Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2021; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Dawson Garcia (13) with the ball in the first half at Dean Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Dawson Garcia.

A name that isn't remembered fondly by fans of the UNC basketball program, as the transfer was supposed to make a huge impact for the Tar Heels.

However, his stint in Chapel Hill lasted only a half of season, as Garcia elected to leave the team to return closer to home while dealing with family-related issues.

Of course, no one is questioning that Garcia left to be with his family. However, Armando Bacot recently sparked the headlines by admitting it was much more than just family matters that drove Garcias out of Chapel Hill.

On Tidal League's "Run Your Race Podcast," hosted by fellow Tar Heel alum Theo Pinson, Bacot was asked about his former short-term teammate. At first, it didn't seem like Bacot was going to open up on the topic, but then provided some clarity regarding the situation.

"We started Dawson (over) Brady Manek because, at the time, he was supposed to go to the league. He had a lot of stuff going for him. He was skilled. He was a good player, but he didn't realize what Carolina was all about. He didn't realize that if you play a bad game, they are going to tell you about it. A lot of that stuff was tough for him. He had a lot of family stuff going on. Then Coach Davis began starting Brady, and then after that, he just got his s*** and left."

Garcia was a starter for the Tar Heels until he suffered a concussion to open up the new year against Boston College on January 2. He would return for two games off the bench before the UNC basketball program made the surprising announcement that he would be leaving the program a few weeks later on January 24.

It ended up working out for the Tar Heels, as Brady Manek thrived in his starting role and was arguably the team's best player as they made an incredible run to the national championship game. This situation goes to show you that all transfers aren't necessarily perfect fits, as there's plenty of instances where it just doesn't work out for student-athletes in their new homes.

Some players just can't handle the pressure of playing at a Blue Blood program like North Carolina.

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