Why Armando Bacot might be the smartest man NOT in the green room.

Bacot’s returning to Carolina for his senior season should be examined beyond the mere decision. He obviously considered all his options and coming back as a fourth-year player for the Tar Heels won out.

In his sterling junior season, when he became UNC’s double-double record-holder, Bacot not only blew by Brice Johnson’s single season mark by an astounding 95 rebounds but with 49 career double-doubles he is a lock to surpass the school’s all-time leaders, Billy Cunningham (60) and Antawn Jamison (51). And he needs only 219 rebounds to exceed Tyler Hansbrough as UNC’s career leader.

But AB wants more. If the ACC Player of the Year votes were taken again, he would swamp Wake Forest’s Alondes Williams for the honor, which both Mike Krzyzewski and Jay Bilas said he deserved. The media should forget about early voting until the dadgum regular season is over.

That honor will still get his jersey and No. 5 into the Smith Center rafters as would National Player of the Year and All-American. But what else does Bacot need to improve?

If he entered the 2022 NBA draft, he would likely go unselected and have to make a team as a free agent; if he failed, he could go to the G League or Europe. Those options will certainly be available next year, or better in the draft pool by improving his mid-range jump shot and footwork around the basket.

In the NIL era, Bacot may not become a millionaire by graduation but will certainly make a lot of money through autographs, appearances and social media posts. He has been a Twitter tweeter since before he arrived.

Then there is his legacy of joining Carolina’s greatest players who all stayed three, if not four years. That’s the true sadness of the one-and-done era, not here long enough to become a beloved member of the Family.

Yes, the one-and-dones and two-and-throughs are always welcomed back, but rarely are they remembered like the long-haulers. Names like Marvin Williams and Tony Bradley are still talked about because both were on national championship teams. Not Brandan Wright, Nassir Little, Coby White, Cole Anthony and Day’Ron Sharpe since we hardly got to know them.

Armando Bacot clearly loves being an honor student here and all-star basketball player. And Carolina fans won’t ever forget his monstrous junior season. While opponents don’t relish his return, those who love him to bits are uber excited by what his senior year might also bring.

 

Photo via Todd Melet.

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