As one of the faces of a UNC men’s basketball program undergoing a major transition, junior forward Armando Bacot has understandably drawn a lot of media attention this year. That likely won’t change in coming weeks, as Bacot was named to the Naismith Award Watch List Monday morning. The Naismith Award honors the National Player of the Year in men’s college basketball.

Bacot is the only Tar Heel to make the list of 50 players, but is joined by several peers from the ACC. Buddy Boeheim from Syracuse, Keve Aluma from Virginia Tech and Paolo Banchero from Duke are also on the list.

Bacot and teammate Dawson Garcia drew additional accolades Tuesday, with both players named to the Wooden Award Watch List. The Wooden Award is another honor given to the national player of the year.

As a sophomore in the 2020-21 season, Bacot averaged 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while improving his free throw percentage and turnover numbers. His field goal percentage saw the most drastic change, jumping from 46.9 percent his freshman season to 62.8 percent in 2020-21.

Head coach Hubert Davis and the rest of the Tar Heels clearly expect big things from Bacot, as he was named one of three team captains ahead of Carolina’s exhibition game against Elizabeth City State. Bacot started the exhibition and finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. He also made his only three-point attempt.

Three Tar Heels have won the Naismith Award: Michael Jordan in 1984, Antawn Jamison in 1998 and Tyler Hansbrough in 2008. All those players also won the Wooden Award that same year, with Phil Ford also winning the Wooden Award in 1978. Bacot and Garcia will look to join that exclusive club when Carolina’s regular season gets underway Tuesday night against Loyola.

To view the full Naismith Award Watch List, click here. To view the full Wooden Award Watch List, click here.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

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