Think of all the legendary basketball players who have played for the North Carolina Tar Heels through the years.
Armando Bacot has more rebounds than any of them. He also now has more double-doubles.
The 6-11 senior added 18 more rebounds to his season total in a 80-69 win Saturday over the North Carolina State Wolfpack. In the process, Bacot passed Tyler Hansbrough to become the all-time leading rebounder in UNC history.
LEGENDARY.
Armando Bacot passes Tyler Hansbrough for most rebounds in Carolina Basketball History. pic.twitter.com/oAAxTXKfUk
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) January 22, 2023
It’s a stunning achievement, really, for a school that has produced so many future NBA stars. The Tar Heels recognized Bacot at center court in the Dean E. Smith Center. Hansbrough came out to give Bacot the record-setting basketball and a hug. Legendary North Carolina coach Roy Williams, who recruited Bacot, was on hand for the occasion as well.
What a moment for Armando Bacot 👏 @UNC_Basketball pic.twitter.com/jO3yfUJ47l
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) January 22, 2023
Bacot also set another UNC record Saturday, posting the 61st double-double of his career. That breaks the mark set by Billy Cunningham in the early 1960s.
HE DID IT❗
Armando Bacot becomes UNC All-Time rebounder and double-double record holder! 💪🐏@UNC_BASKETBALL | #ACCMBB pic.twitter.com/8A8ObsPvcz
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) January 22, 2023
UNC fans praised the star’s career.
“Tyler Hansbrough made it a point to pass the UNC rebounding torch to Armando Bacot in person. Just as Phil Ford did for him when he became UNC’s all-time leading scorer,” noted the InsideCarolina Twitter account.
Tyler Hansbrough made it a point to pass the #UNC rebounding torch to Armando Bacot in person. Just as Phil Ford did for him when he became UNC's all-time leading scorer.@adam_smith_IC story on an honor rather than an obligation for Hansbrough: https://t.co/z1KMJP6EpE pic.twitter.com/HKLkeblk5A
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) January 22, 2023
“Almost certainly going to pass Shelden Williams at 1262 for second place in ACC history. (No shot at Tim Duncan with 1570),” tweeted a fan.
https://twitter.com/rahmdphd/status/1616951216541409282
“Retire his number,” tweeted Victory Lap.
Retire his number 💯
— ANT (@_ChaseMyDREAMS) January 22, 2023
“UNC LEGEND,” tweeted Whitaker Antoine.
UNC LEGEND
— x-Whit2wavvy (@whit2wavvy) January 22, 2023
