Armando Bacot will return to UNC for fifth season as others transfer out
By CHARLIE PARENT
North Carolina star and two-time All ACC first team nominee Armando Bacot will return to Chapel Hill for another season, he announced Wednesday.
The big man was named to the AP All-America third-team after averaging 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this season.
“I’m using my last year of eligibility.” Bacot told Stadium. “I felt it was the right decision for my future. … The primary reason I am coming back is because I don’t want to leave North Carolina this way. But I also know I need to improve and feel like this is the best place to do that.”
Bacot was also instrumental in North Carolina’s 2022 run in the NCAA Tournament, where he was named to the NCAA All Tournament team after leading the Tar Heels to the National Championship game.
He was also one of the most outspoken players on this year’s UNC squad that returned virtually all production, but failed to make the tournament after being the AP Poll’s preseason No. 1 team.
“We’ve got the talent to do it — we came back for a reason, and this isn’t it,” Bacot said after a loss to Wake Forest in February. “I love this university too much, and I love the game of basketball too much to quit.”
The Tar Heels have already lost Puff Johnson, Justin McKoy, Tyler Nickel, and Dontrez Styles to the transfer portal, while key guards R.J. Davis and Caleb Love have yet to decide on their futures.
North Carolina will also bring in four-stars Simeon Wilcher and Zayden High in their 2023 recruiting class.
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