Armando Bacot is pursuing his NBA dreams with the Memphis Hustle in the G League, recently achieving a franchise milestone by recording 25 rebounds and scoring 34 points in a comeback win against the Santa Cruz Warriors. This performance marked the first 30-point/20-rebound game in Hustle history. Bacot’s strong week earned him G League Player of the Week honors, averaging 25.7 points and 17 rebounds over three games while shooting 41.2% from three-point range. A former UNC star known for his rebounding skills, he continues to enhance his game with aspirations for an NBA opportunity.
Armando Bacot is persistently pursuing his aspiration of playing in the NBA with the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League. Last week may have brought him a step closer to earning a chance in the NBA.
The former UNC center achieved a franchise milestone by grabbing 25 rebounds in the Memphis Hustle’s 115-109 comeback victory against the Santa Cruz Warriors. Bacot also netted 34 points, marking the first instance of a Memphis player achieving a 30-point/20-rebound game in franchise history. The Hustle made an impressive comeback after being down by 17 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
For his outstanding performance in this game and throughout the week, Bacot has been honored as the G League Player of the Week. During the three games he played for the Hustle last week, Bacot averaged 25.7 points, 17 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. He showcased a shooting range that he did not exhibit during his time at UNC, hitting 41.2% of his three-point attempts while the Hustle finished with a 2-1 record in those games. For the season, Bacot is averaging 17.4 points and 10 rebounds per game. He also participated in the NBA G League Up Next Game, which serves as the G League’s equivalent of an all-star game.
Fans of the Tar Heels are well aware of Bacot’s rebounding skills, as he holds the all-time record for career rebounds at UNC. Bacot has been diligently working to refine the skills that could help him secure a position in the NBA, with a particular focus on rebounding and defense. While it was a challenging situation to join the team that also drafted Zach Edey, a few more performances like last week’s are sure to present him with an opportunity in the future.