After a breakout performance in the NCAA Tournament, Armando Bacot returns to UNC. The Tar Heels star will bypass the NBA Draft

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Bacot played 38 minutes during UNC’s 72 to 69 loss at No. 1 seed Kansas was in the national championship match despite having a bum ankle that he had suffered two days earlier in a Final Four victory over rival Duke. In which he scored 11 and grabbed 21 boards, Bacot played 38 minutes. He still managed 15 points and 15 boards against the Jayhawks before he injured his ankle.

Bacot’s return to North Carolina makes the school a preseason Player of Year candidate for a team that can dream big following a strong 2021-22 season. They are ranked No. They are ranked No. 2 in Gary Parrish’s Top 25 and 1 rankings. These rankings were based on the assumption Brady Manek — who is no longer college eligible — will return to school next season.