Armando Bacot made another right move for Hubert Davis.
With the possible exception of losing Walker Kessler to Auburn, UNC’s new basketball coach has been right on the money with his public pronouncements and recruiting moves three months into the job.
Davis got his fourth starter back from last season when Bacot said he was returning for his junior year after visiting with certain NBA teams without having hired an agent. He had until July 7, but Bacot was clearly leaning toward another season with some big goals.
Lately, he has been back in Chapel Hill, working out with returning teammates and some alumni pros as he gives the Tar Heels the inside post presence they need and enhances their chances of spreading the floor for more driving and dishing and pick and rolls.
When you consider Oklahoma four-year shooting star Brady Manek transferring in for his fifth season, Carolina will boast one of the most experienced teams in the ACC, with senior Leaky Black, sophomores Caleb Love, Kerwin Walton and RJ Davis joining Bacot.
By adding Virginia transfer Justin McKoy, and getting healthy sophomore Puff Johnson back plus two talented true freshmen, Hubert isn’t exaggerating when he says his first team has a chance to win the national championship.
Bacot was third-team All-ACC as a sophomore and Carolina’s leading scorer and rebounder, plus best in blocked shots and shooting percentage. With much more to prove, he will be preseason first-team All-ACC and get considerable votes for Player of the Year.
Hubert supported going through the process, where Bacot likely learned a lot about where he needs to improve to jump into the NBA draft after next season. Carolina fans will always question Tony Bradley turning pro as the 28th pick in 2017 and Nassir Little going at No. 25 in 2019, when both would have made the Tar Heels better by returning and improved their draft status to early in the first round.
With his NBA connections, Hubert likely had his finger on the pulse of Bacot’s decision in saying publicly he expected his 6-10 center back, where the so-called mock draft boards had him all over the map. NBAdraftroom.com called him a late first-round to mid-second rounder while Bleacher Report left him off the draft completely.
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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
