WATCH: UNC star Armando Bacot reveals plans for next season
Armando Bacot Jr. isn’t finished at North Carolina. After an amazing NCAA Tournament run, the Tar Heels came up just short of their ultimate goal. However, Bacot isn’t letting his final chapter as a Tar Heel be taken over by an injury at the worst possible moment.
Sitting in the Dean Smith Center, Bacot gave an impassioned speech, where he revealed he’s returning to North Carolina for another season.
“The University of North Carolina has been great to me,” started Bacot. “Getting the full Tar Heel experience this year, with the fans, and the big wins and the celebrations is something I will never forget. The chance I received to wear the North Carolina jersey and play for that name on the front is special to me. I look forward to coming back in the summers as an alum, playing pick-up with the current guys, and teaching them the same things that we were taught by the former players. That’s my responsibility as part of the Carolina family. But I’m not ready to do that just yet.
“This year’s experience showed me that I do not want to miss the chance to do it again next season. On the court, we got so close this year. I know there are no guarantees, but I want the opportunity to play in those big games. To keep Carolina on that national stage. And to have the chance to do what Coach [Hubert] Davis has talked about since his first day on the job — put another banner in the Smith Center. My Carolina story isn’t finished this year, next season starts right now.
“My name is Armando Bacot, and I’m a Tar Heel.”
After showcasing his phenomenal ability throughout the season, many expected Bacot to call it a career with the Tar Heels. His ability inside, innate rebounding skills and leadership qualities would’ve made him an interesting prospect for the NBA. However, the North Carolina star forward is putting that on the back-burner.
Last season, Bacot averaged 16.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game for the Tar Heels. While those are above-average numbers, his performance in the 2022 NCAA Tournament was where he star truly turned, as the forward averaged 5.3 points and 16.5 rebounds per game on the way to the title game.
The NBA will still be there after next season. Armando Bacot wants to bring a championship to North Carolina, and he has a chance to do it in his return to the college basketball world.