UNC sophomore Armando Bacot and freshman Walker Kessler each found their names among the 20 players selected Friday to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watch list.

The award is presented annually to the top center in college basketball.

Bacot averaged 9.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season in his debut campaign as a Tar Heels, while Kessler is a 7-foot-1-inch McDonald’s All-American expected to make big contributions this year.

The watch list will be narrowed down to 10 players in January, followed by a cut-down to five finalists in late February.

A winner will be decided on April 9, 2021.

 

 

 

Photo via Maggie Hobson (UNC Athletics)

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Roy Williams Listed as a Presenter for Upcoming ESPY Awards
Former UNC head men’s basketball coach Roy Williams is listed as a scheduled presenter for this year’s ESPY Awards, which will take place on Saturday night. Williams retired following the conclusion of UNC’s season back in March after a wildly successful career in which he won 903 games during his time at both Kansas and […]
Four-Star Guard Seth Trimble Announces Commitment to UNC Men's Basketball
New UNC head men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis landed his second high school commitment for the Class of 2022 on Wednesday evening: four-star point guard Seth Trimble announced his intentions to join the Tar Heel program. Trimble — the younger brother of former UNC guard J.P. Tokoto — hails from Menomenee Falls, Wisconsin and is […]
Former UNC Forward Walker Miller Transferring to Monmouth
After previously announcing his intentions to transfer from the UNC program back in late March, graduate forward Walker Miller revealed Thursday that he will play out his final year of eligibility next season at Monmouth University. The 6-foot-11 forward — who is the younger brother of current Cincinnati head coach and former UNC player Wes […]
Former UNC Star Coby White Cuts Signature Hairstyle
Former UNC star point guard Coby White–a Goldsboro native now with the Chicago Bulls–revealed Tuesday night on Instagram that he has cut the signature floppy hairstyle that helped make him a fan favorite in Chapel Hill. The move comes after White wrapped up his second season in the NBA on Sunday night, scoring 19 points […]
Brandon Robinson to Join UNC Men's Basketball Staff as Graduate Assistant
A familiar face to Carolina basketball fans is set to return to the bench this fall, as a coach instead of a player. UNC head men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis told 97.9 The Hill’s Art Chansky in a recent interview that Brandon Robinson is returning to the program as a graduate assistant. “Brandon Robinson is […]
Hubert Davis: 'We’ve Got Armando Bacot Coming Back' to UNC
As a guest on the College Hoops Today podcast with Jon Rothstein on Monday, new UNC head coach Hubert Davis said he thinks forward Armando Bacot is returning to the Tar Heels next season. “We’ve got Armando Bacot coming back next year,” Davis told Rothstein. “He led our team in points and rebounds — he’s […]
Pat Sullivan Joins UNC Men's Basketball Coaching Staff
Another former Tar Heel player has joined the new men’s basketball staff under head coach Hubert Davis, as it was reported Monday evening that Pat Sullivan will join the team in a support role. Sullivan was teammates with Davis during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, and is one of eight Tar Heels to ever play […]
Men's Basketball: UNC Adds Oklahoma Transfer Brady Manek
After landing Virginia transfer Justin McKoy this past weekend, new UNC head coach Hubert Davis scored another incoming transfer on Friday with the addition of former Oklahoma forward Brady Manek. The 6-foot-9-inch, 231-pound senior averaged 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season for the Sooners, while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range. Manek, […]
Garrison Brooks Announces Transfer to Mississippi State
Former UNC forward Garrison Brooks shared plans to transfer to Mississippi State to complete his final year of NCAA eligibility next season. Brooks, who has an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, announced the decision on Instagram Thursday. He will join the team where his father, George Brooks, is an assistant coach. Brooks […]
Walker Kessler Announces He Is Transferring to Auburn
Former UNC forward Walker Kessler announced via Instagram on Monday his plans to transfer to Auburn, squashing any chances the Tar Heels had of luring him back to Chapel Hill under new head coach Hubert Davis. Kessler previously announced he was entering the NCAA transfer portal in late March after the conclusion of UNC’s season. […]
›