North Carolina star makes surprising call on NBA Draft

Armando Bacot Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina star makes surprising NBA Draft decision

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 3/22/23

North Carolina star Armando Bacot made a somewhat surprising decision for his basketball future.

Bacot confirmed Wednesday that he will return to the Tar Heels for the 2023-24 college basketball season -- using his fifth year of eligibility to run it back at Chapel Hill -- rather than jumping to this summer's NBA Draft.

In his social media announcement, the UNC forward included a picture of former Kansas star Perry Ellis, who stuck it out in Lawrence from 2012-16.

https://t.co/vvAHsPjgpV pic.twitter.com/jt0Z1Ga7qq

— Armando Bacot Jr. (@iget_buckets35) March 22, 2023

Bacot also told Jeff Goodman of Stadium that the major reason for his coming back was that he did not want to leave the Tar Heels after such a disappointing season.

More from Armando Bacot to @Stadium on his decision to return to UNC.

“The primary reason I am coming back is because I don’t want to leave North Carolina this way. But I also know I need to improve and feel like this is the best place to do that.” https://t.co/OaYgO3R2cu

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 22, 2023

The Tar Heels might have grown a little too big for their britches after their national championship appearance last spring, which Bacot himself admitted. North Carolina, in the end, went from a No. 1 ranking in the preseason to missing out on the NCAA Tournament altogether.

For his part, Bacot averaged 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game for the Tar Heels during their disappointing 2022-23. The 2023-24 campaign will be his final season of eligibility.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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