All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Star Looks to Put Jersey in Rafters

Team success may determine whether UNC basketball's Armando Bacot gets his number honored.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball at ACC Media Day (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
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Of the 53 UNC basketball players whose jerseys hang from the Dean E. Smith Center rafters (45 honored, eight retired), none are from this decade. No, the most recent honorees were 2017 Tar Heel national champions Joel Berry (2014-18) and Justin Jackson (2014-17).

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But fifth-year UNC basketball treasure Armando Bacot sounds like one determined 23-year-old preseason All-American looking to permanently plant his name alongside all the Tar Heel greats, including two who wore his No. 5 in Ty Lawson (2006-09) and Marcus Paige (2012-16).

"My personal goal, really, is just to get my jersey in the rafters," Bacot said at ACC Media Day in Charlotte on Wednesday.

And the program's all-time leader in rebounders (1,335) and double-doubles (68), a former composite five-star prep hailing from Richmond, Va., is well aware of the requirement as he enters his "super senior" campaign under third-year head coach Hubert Davis.

"In order to do that, I've got to be first- or second-team All-American or a national player of the year or ACC Player of the Year," Bacot noted about seeing his jersey honored, leaving out NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player or teammate-voted MVP for a squad that wins the national title (or someday winning an Olympic gold medal).

"And I think all of those [requirements] are attainable goals as long as I handle business and we win as a team."

Last season, Armando Bacot (nine votes) finished third in the ACC Player of the Year voting behind Miami guard Isaiah Wong (30) and Wake Forest guard Tyree Appleby (23).

Bacot and the preseason No. 19 Tar Heels begin their 2023-24 regular season on Nov. 6 with a home game against Radford.

UNC Star Named Preseason All-American Alongside Blue Devil

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

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Matt Giles
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.

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