UNC Basketball Star Named Preseason All-American Alongside Blue Devil

UNC basketball's Armando Bacot and Duke basketball's Kyle Filipowski are preseason All-Americans.

Matt Giles | Oct 23, 2023

UNC basketball center Armando Bacot (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

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For the second year in a row, UNC basketball treasure Armando Bacot is an AP Preseason All-American as the 23-year-old, the program's all-time leader in rebounds (1,335) and double-doubles (68), enters his fifth college campaign.

As a senior, the former four-star recruit out of IMG Academy (Fla.) averaged 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game en route to earning First Team All-ACC honors for the second straight year.

Plus, he landed on the AP All-America Third Team despite he and the Tar Heels falling short of an NCAA Tournament invite after beginning the year ranked No. 1 in the country.

Bacot has averaged 13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game as a UNC basketball player, drawing starts in all but one of his 132 outings in college.

He's one of two Tobacco Road talents on this year's AP Preseason All-America Team, announced on Monday, joining Duke basketball sophomore power forward and reigning ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Filipowski.

Associated Press names Armando Bacot a preseason All-American 🔥🐏 pic.twitter.com/aoBFRXzWDt
— The Tar Heel Story (@tarheelstory) October 23, 2023

The other three preseason All-Americans are Purdue big man Zach Edey (the only unanimous pick by the AP voters this go-round), Marquette guard Tyler Kolek, and Kansas center Hunter Dickinson.

Armando Bacot and Hubert Davis' third UNC basketball squad, No. 19 in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, tip off their regular season against Radford in the Dean E. Smith Center on Nov. 6.

One UNC Matchup Among 'Top 10 Non-Conference Games'

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

Published Oct 23, 2023

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.