via Getty
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 26: NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on from the 23XI Racing pit box prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Pocono Organics CBD 325 at Pocono Raceway on June 26, 2021 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sean Gardner/23XI Racing via Getty Images)
via Getty
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 26: NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on from the 23XI Racing pit box prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Pocono Organics CBD 325 at Pocono Raceway on June 26, 2021 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sean Gardner/23XI Racing via Getty Images)
Back in 1995, Michael Jordan made his iconic comeback with just 2 words, “I’m back”. And the league went wild over the return of its star. And now another future superstar has made a similar kind of comeback to his college.
Armando Bacot will return to the UNC Tar Heels next season. And he announced it by mimicking former North Carolina player Michael Jordan. He could declare himself for the NBA draft, but he returned to UNC for another season to try to win the NCAA title. When Jordan returned to the Bulls after his first retirement, he made a similar statement to the press. And Bacot is paying homage to His Airness.
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Amando Bacot will look to imitate Michael Jordan next season as well
With Bacot deciding to return to North Carolina for one more season, he will want to imitate Jordan by winning an NCAA title with the Tar Heels. His team was in the national championship game and they will be the favorite with Bacot’s return. The Tar Heels will look to avenge the Finals loss, especially after blowing the largest lead in NCAA Championship history. But this may not be the main reason he returned.
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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Michael Jordan at halftime during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Bacot had a strong March Madness tournament, and he had a strong season, but he was not a lock on to be a top pick in the 2022 NBA draft. If he goes undrafted or gets selected in the second round, the money offered will be comparably less. North Carolina has some of the biggest donors on their alumni base and they have a great relationship with Michael Jordan and Jordan’s brand.
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Bacot is one such player who can take advantage of the new NIL arrangements to return to school for one more year and could try to improve himself before declaring for the NBA draft. With this announcement, Bacot and the Tar Heels will definitely have the potential to win the NCAA title next year.
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