Armando Bacot just wrapped up a collegiate career that saw him become an all-time player at North Carolina. However, it apparently could have swung in the complete opposite direction down Tobacco Road.
Bacot spoke about his history with both the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils during an appearance on ‘Run Your Race’ with Theo Pinson. In their conversation, he admitted to being a big Duke fan growing up and hating UNC, which makes his time in Chapel Hill that much more interesting to think about.
“Even committing to Carolina, for me, was crazy because – a lot of people don’t know this. I grew up a Duke fan,” Bacot said. “Like, you can go on my FaceBook – and it had surfaced on Twitter a little bit. But, like, there’s pictures of me. Like, I went to the Duke Basketball camps, everything. So, like, I grew up a Duke fan. I loved Jahlil Okafor, Jabari Parker. Those were like my two favorite college players.
“I’ll never admit it but I’ll admit it now. I’m not in college now. So I grew up a Duke fan, hated Carolina,” said Bacot. “I had somewhat allegiance to them because Ed Davis went there. Kenny Williams was from Richmond. Like, I was a young bull when he was coming up so, like, I watched them a little bit.”
Bacot following the program in Durham while coming up made it odd to go through his recruitment with North Carolina. Still, with a close friend of his committing to Duke, he eventually went there instead in a total flip of how he used to feel.
“Even committing to Carolina, for me, was, like, just out of nowhere,” Bacot said. “Because, like, even throughout the process? I visited. Like, I loved Coach Davis, loved Coach Williams. But it was just, like, tough for me even just rocking with Carolina.”
“Vernon Carey was like one of my good friends too. But I just went to Carolina,” said Bacot. “Like, it was crazy because, like, I hated Carolina.”
North Carolina can probably get over it, though, considering what Bacot did for them over 169 games in his five seasons. He finished averaging 13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 55.2% from the field in his career. That left him No. 1 all-time in school history in rebounds, offensive rebounds, and double-doubles and No. 2 in scoring. It also made him one of the best players ever in their league as well as in the sport during his time in college.
Bacot finished with a winning record against Duke too in 11 matchups at 6-5, including huge outings in both the final home game and the final ever game in the career of Mike Krzyzewski. Over all those games, he averaged 15.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 54.1% from the field
History can change completely based on one decision. This one just happened to pan out for North Carolina within the rivalry, even though Bacot used to and still does have his respect for Duke.
“I was a diehard Duke fan so, like, I hated Carolina. They’re gonna tear me up for this,” laughed Bacot.
“People don’t know it because I’m all Carolina, all that,” Bacot said. “I mean, honestly, like, I don’t even really still got that big of a problem with Duke.”
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