Mr. Double-Double is coming back.
North Carolina men’s basketball forward Armando Bacot posted a video to his Twitter page Wednesday announcing he will be returning to UNC for his senior year.
Bacot, a native of Richmond, Va., led the Tar Heels to the 2022 national title game, averaging 16.3 points per game and 13.1 rebounds.
“On the court we got so close this year,” Bacot said in the video. “I know there are no guarantees, but I want the opportunity to play in those big games, to keep Carolina on that national stage.”
Bacot added that his Carolina story “isn’t finished just yet” and he wants to help put another banner in the Dean Smith Center rafters.
“Next season starts right now,” he added.
Bacot (6-foot-11, 240 pounds) had 31 double-doubles this season, tying David Robinson for the most in a season in Division I history. He became the first player in NCAA Tournament history to have a double-double in all six tournament games.
Playing on a bad ankle, Bacot scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the 72-69 title game loss to Kansas.
“Armando is the perfect example of what a Carolina player strives to be,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said in a release. “He has excelled at the highest level as a player, in the classroom and in the community. I loved hearing the news yesterday that he made the Academic All-ACC team after the season he had, which wasn’t just good, and not just great, it was historic. I felt he was the best player in ACC and the best big man in the country.
“He’s coming back for his senior season for several reasons. One, he loves this place. Two, he has the desire to win a national championship. Getting to the final game and getting so close lit a fire inside of him to achieve that goal more than ever.”
Bacot had a breakout season, earning All-ACC first-team honors for UNC. He finished second in the ACC Player of the Year voting. He had consecutive 29-point games in January against Virginia and Georgia Tech. In the win over the Cavaliers, he also grabbed 22 rebounds. Bacot had five games with 20 rebounds or more.
He’ll be the centerpiece of a frontcourt that has to replace Brady Manek and Dawson Garcia. Davis does have freshman Jalen Washington (6-9, 210) arriving on campus next season. Will Shaver, a 6-10 center, enrolled in January. He’s not expected to be an immediate starter.
