UNC junior forward Armando Bacot saw another midseason honor roll his way Thursday, as the Naismith Award named him to its 30-man 2022 Midseason Team.

The Naismith Award is one of the most prestigious honors in college basketball, and has recognized the National Player of the Year since 1969.

Bacot currently leads Carolina in both points (16.6) and rebounds (12.5) per game. He is the only player in the ACC averaging more than 10 rebounds per game, and ranks seventh in scoring. His 18 double-doubles this season are tied for second in the country, behind only Utah Valley’s Fardaws Aimaq. Bacot has scored in double figures in 20 of 24 games this season, including two consecutive 29-point showings against Virginia and Georgia Tech in January. His last outing saw him score 24 points and grab 10 rebounds at Clemson before fouling out. He has already been named to the 10-man watch list for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar award, which honors the nation’s top center.

Bacot is one of four ACC players to make the Midseason Team. Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore of Duke are both featured, as well as Wake Forest’s Alondes Williams. He would be the fourth Tar Heel to ever win the Naismith Award, joining Michael Jordan in 1984, Antawn Jamison in 1998 and Tyler Hansbrough in 2008.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

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