“Smart thing probably would have been to leave”: Armando Bacot discloses why he never entered the transfer portal during his time in college
Armando Bacot, a two-time All-ACC first-team selection, spent his entire college basketball career playing for North Carolina. He joined UNC after graduating from IMG Academy and played there for five years before declaring for the 2024 NBA draft.
However, in 2021, Bacot was on the verge of entering the transfer portal. He opened up about his decision to stay at Tar Heels despite facing uncertainty while speaking on Tidal League's "Run Your Race" podcast on Monday:
(from 40:46 mark onwards)
"He [head coach Roy Williams] told me he wasn't guaranteeing me a spot," Bacot said. "He said you got to go and earn it and I don't know what in me made me stay because like the smart thing probably would have been to leave. I was like I'm not leaving bro."
After an injury derailed his freshman year, Bacot bounced back stronger in his second season playing for the Tar Heels. He averaged 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game that season. Bacot initially entered the 2021 NBA draft but decided to return to UNC for his junior season.
Bacot also appreciated Hubert Davis for convincing him to remain in Chapel Hill:
(from 43:20 mark onwards)
"Going into my junior year, it's funny cause I was going to transfer after my sophomore year. I had a great year but coach Williams had left," Bacot said.
"They knew I was going to leave. And I was going I was going to go to VCU which is crazy to think. But so then Coach Davis was named the coach and Coach Davis recruited me. That was the guy who always had a hand on my shoulder when I was down my freshman year always encouraging me," he added.
Armando Bacot on rival NC State reaching Final Four in 2024
The Richmond, Virginia native had a strong dislike for UNC's in-state rival NC State. During the 2023-24 season, the Tar Heels completed a double against the Wolfpack beating them twice in ACC regular season.
North Carolina won the ACC regular season with a 17-3 record and reached the final of the ACC tournament, where they were set to face NC State in the championship game.
However, NC State surprisingly defeated UNC 84-76 to win the championship, seemingly against all the odds:
"I can't stand NC State. I wanted Duke to go to the Final Four. I didn't want NC State to go to the Final Four," Bacot said.
Bacot registered 14.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.5 bpg last season. After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, he was given an Exhibit 10 contract by the Utah Jazz on June 28.