Maccabi Tel Aviv has announced the signing of Armando Bacot, who played for Fenerbahce last season. The 26-year-old American center joins the Yellows' frontcourt roster, which includes Daniel Theis, Roman Sorkin, TJ Leaf, Jaylen Hoard, and Shayne Hunter.
Having recently signed Daniel Theis from France's ASVEL, Bacot is not expected to be Maccabi Tel Aviv's primary center in the upcoming season, but rather to round out the expected trio at the position alongside Roman Sorkin and the German.
Armando Linwood Bacot Jr., who stands at 2.08 meters tall, played for five years at the University of North Carolina, which he joined after being considered one of the top talents in his high school class. In his final years in college, he was named to the All-ACC First Team and was also selected to an All-American team in college basketball.
He spent his first season as a professional with the Memphis Hustle, the NBA G League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 50 games. After failing to secure an NBA contract last summer, he signed with Fenerbahce in September.
"Armando Bacot is a player we have been following for a long time. He is a talented big man with high-level offensive skills," head coach Oded Kattash said after the signing. "We are certain he has plenty of room to improve, and we like that. He is an intelligent guy who plays with a high basketball IQ. We are glad he is joining us and look forward to starting work together."
"I am very excited to join a historic organization like Maccabi Tel Aviv and to help win and improve," Armando Bacot told the club's official website after signing the contract.
Bacot struggled to establish a regular role with the Turkish team. He appeared in 26 EuroLeague games, averaging 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10 minutes. In the Turkish league, he appeared in 19 games, providing 6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Bacot is Maccabi Tel Aviv's fourth summer signing, following Yam Madar, Bonzie Colson, and Daniel Theis. Meanwhile, Shayne Hunter has returned to the squad after playing on loan in Poland last season, and Keaton Wallace has finalized terms with the team as the replacement for Lonnie Walker.