Forward Armando Bacot plans to return to UNC’s men’s basketball program for his junior season.

Bacot shared a tweet on Monday, saying “Let’s run it back,” to the UNC program’s Twitter page. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein said minutes before that Bacot also confirmed the plans to him on Monday.

Bacot had entered the NBA Draft process to gather feedback on his game, but will withdraw his name from consideration. The Richmond, Virginia native led the Tar Heels in scoring and rebounds in the 2020-2021 season, with 12.3 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game.

First-year head coach Hubert Davis indicated his belief that Bacot would remain with the Carolina men’s basketball program when speaking on Rothstein’s podcast in May. Social media from the program also showed videos of Bacot working out and scrimmaging with UNC players this summer.

Davis also shared comments Monday night on Bacot’s official announcement of his return to the program.

“I’m ecstatic. Number one, I am really happy he went through the process. We completely support that. We want our guys to have two basketball goals. One is to have the experience of cutting down the nets and being the last team standing on that final Monday night of the season. We also want them to reach all their dreams and goals, and their dreams and goals are to play in the NBA. We 100 percent supported Armando’s pursuit to see where he stood right now in terms of going to the NBA, and we support that for all of our players.

“I’m thankful Armando got an opportunity to work out with some teams and he played off-the-charts great. As much as I am pleased that he was able to go through the process and flourish in that process, I am just as ecstatic that he is coming back to Carolina. I recruited him in high school, helped coach him the last two seasons and couldn’t ask for anything better than to be around him as a head coach. He’s our team leader, our captain, he’s worked extremely hard, he’s our leading returning scorer and rebounder, and for us to have a chance next year we need to have someone like Armando.”

Bacot earned third-team All-ACC and first-team All-ACC Tournament honors during his sophomore season at UNC.

Photo via the Maui Invitational.

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
‹
UNC Men's Basketball Ranked No. 25 in 2025-26 Preseason AP Poll
UNC men's basketball is ranked No. 25 in the preseason edition of the AP Top 25 poll, which was released Monday.
LEGOs, Stoicism and Basketball: UNC's Caleb Wilson is the Most Interesting Man in the World
Every morning, UNC freshman Caleb Wilson wakes up and reads Stoicism. “I feel like it’s beneficial to your mental health,” he said during a wide-ranging press conference at the Dean Smith Center Thursday afternoon. “I feel like it makes me approach the days differently […]
UNC Men's Basketball Brings Smiles, Laughter to ACC Tipoff
At least one high-profile team in Chapel Hill appears to be having fun. Head coach Hubert Davis, guard Seth Trimble and center Henri Veesaar were all in a jovial mood at the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte Tuesday afternoon, cracking smiles and telling jokes during their allotted 15 minutes at the podium. During Davis’ speaking time, […]
'You Play for So Much More': Highlights from UNC Men's Basketball's Day at the ACC Tipoff
UNC head coach Hubert Davis, guard Seth Trimble and center Henri Veesaar spoke at the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte Tuesday afternoon. The Tar Heels have a new-look roster this season, featuring multiple incoming transfers and freshmen. Trimble and forward James Brown are the only scholarship players returning from the 2024-25 season. Here are selected highlights […]
UNC Women's Lacrosse Coach, Former Soccer Star Welcomed Into Order of the Long Leaf Pine
The governor inducted six people to the state's Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Friday, including two accomplished UNC sports figures.
Chansky's Notebook: Size and Shooting
UNC's revamped basketball roster is full of size and talent, but there is one apparent weakness which has shown itself.
Chansky's Notebook: New 'Agent' Man
Jim Tanner, the new GM of UNC men's basketball, is another alumnus who has joined the program and just what Hubert Davis said he wanted.
UNC Men's Basketball Has Played a Game in 40 of 50 States. Here's How It Can Fill Out the Map.
Few programs in men’s college basketball are as historically well-traveled as UNC. Throughout their more-than-century on the hardwood, the Tar Heels have traveled the length and breadth of the country, from a cozy community center in Hickory to the cavernous Ford Field in Detroit. There are other odd confines which are on record as having […]
'This University Means Everything to Me': UNC's Seth Trimble is Ready for His Senior Moment
UNC's Seth Trimble is confident his ability to lead will help the new-look Tar Heels have a successful season.
UNC Men's Basketball's Blue-White Game Scheduled for October 4
The UNC men’s basketball team will host its annual Blue-White scrimmage in the Dean Smith Center on Saturday, October 4. The game will begin approximately one hour after the conclusion of the UNC vs. Clemson football game, which kicks off at 12 p.m. in Kenan Stadium. 🚨 Blue-White Scrimmage is official 🚨 🗓️ Saturday, October […]
›