This time of year, the transfer portal in NCAA men’s basketball is popping off as players look to find new opportunities for playing time, development or change of scenery. For North Carolina, there has been mixed news on that front. The Tar Heels made history in a terrible way this season, following up a national championship game appearance by being the first preseason-No. 1 team to miss the NCAA tournament and turning down a bid to the NIT.
Things are looking up for the Tar Heels, however, as news came on Wednesday that double-double machine Armando Bacot would be returning for one final year in Chapel Hill.
Stadium’s Jeff Goodman tweeted the news about Bacot’s return, which was then quote-tweeted by the player himself with a hilarious meme.
https://t.co/vvAHsPjgpV pic.twitter.com/jt0Z1Ga7qq
— Armando Bacot Jr. (@iget_buckets35) March 22, 2023
Yes, that is in fact the one-and-only Perry Ellis, the poster child for jokes about players spending a long time in college basketball. While Ellis played the normal four years for the Kansas Jayhawks, he has become synonymous with those that elicit the, “he’s still playing?” response.
And Ellis was quick to point out that Bacot has hung around college hoops longer than he did.
Is this your 5th season I hear!?? Looks like you got me beat young fella! Actually, you’re an old head now 😂 https://t.co/ldZ13OViMQ
— Perry Ellis (@PElliz) March 22, 2023
Bacot averaged a double-double last season for Coach Hubert Davis with 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
While the return of Bacot is promising, four players — Justin McKoy, Tyler Nickel, Dontrez Styles and Puff Johnson — have all already entered the portal from UNC. Questions still remain as to whether guards R.J. Davis and Caleb Love will return, but having Bacot is a huge piece.
