Armando Bacot is one of the most decorated players to ever put on a Tar Heels uniform. We already know most of the accolades - four-time All-ACC player and two-time All-American. The former McDonald's All-American became a walking double-double for his final three years at UNC.
Bacot was an old-school power forward at UNC. He played in the paint, he battled for rebounds, and he wasn't afraid to mix it up with the rough stuff when necessary. That was great for the college game, but did not translate to the "space-and-pace" modern style of NBA basketball.
So it's no surprise he's spent much of the past year trying to make himself worthy of an NBA roster spot while grinding it out in the G-League.
There was NO STOPPING Armando Bacot! 💪
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) June 12, 2025
The former @UNC_Basketball legend averaged 18.2 PPG and 9.5 RPG during his rookie season with the @memphishustle. Bacot had five 30+ point games including 35 PTS/14 REB vs. the Capitanes and 34 PTS/25 REB vs. the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/r7veOap5DE
A strong season with the Memphis Hustle has put the 25-year-old Bacot on the Grizzlies radar. He entered the Las Vegas Summer League with something to prove and had double-digit points in two of the three games he played. Bacot also had a game-high 12 rebounds in one game.
With the Grizzlies going through some transition and looking to add some fresh bodies, there could be a spot for Bacot in the rotation.
Everyone asking what the Grizz are gonna do at the big man position. I think they are secretly very high on Armando Bacot and are gonna use this summer league as a tryout to promote from within. He was putting up these kind of stat lines for the Hustle at the end of last season. pic.twitter.com/DhCs8mrqkA
— GrizzbeHooping (@GrizzHooping) July 4, 2025
Right now, the Grizzlies are in need of another big man to support Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey. With Jackson just signing a $240 million extension, that support is going to have to come at a reasonable price and likely from within the organization. If you put the pieces together, it gives Bacot every opportunity to make the roster this fall.
The knocks on Bacot were his lack of range offensively, his foot speed and overall athleticism. Clearly, he has tried to work on his game this past year and the results are very positive. It's hard to project how Bacot will survive in the NBA until he gets a chance. But he has thrived in the G-League and, with a successful Summer League under his belt, the future is looking brighter than it ever has.