Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv has added frontcourt depth by signing Armando Bacot to a two-year contract, bringing within the 26-year-old middle after his championship season with Fenerbahce. The Israeli membership introduced the transfer Thursday, August 6, because it continues reshaping its roster for the 2026-27 EuroLeague marketing campaign.
Bacot arrives in Tel Aviv after spending the 2025-26 season with Fenerbahce, the place he received the Turkish League championship, Turkish Cup and Turkish Tremendous Cup alongside Bonzie Colson. The two.08-meter middle performed a restricted function in EuroLeague competitors, averaging 2.4 factors and 1.8 rebounds in 10.1 minutes over 26 appearances.
In Turkish league motion, Bacot noticed a bigger function, averaging 6.0 factors and three.7 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per sport throughout 19 appearances. He shot 49.4% from the sphere, 34.6% from three-point vary and 76.3% from the free-throw line through the home season.
Bacot constructed his repute on the College of North Carolina, the place he grew to become one of the crucial productive gamers in program historical past. Throughout 5 seasons with the Tar Heels, he averaged 13.9 factors, 10.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 169 video games, capturing 55.2% from the sphere.
His greatest collegiate season got here in 2021-22, when Bacot averaged 16.3 factors and 13.1 rebounds whereas serving to North Carolina attain the NCAA championship sport. He completed his UNC profession with 1,715 rebounds, establishing himself as one of many program’s prime rebounders.
Earlier than becoming a member of Fenerbahce, Bacot frolicked within the NBA G League with Memphis’ affiliate, the place he averaged 16.8 factors, 9.5 rebounds and a couple of.5 assists throughout 50 video games. He then made his European debut with one of many continent’s largest golf equipment.
Maccabi enters the 2026-27 season after ending twelfth within the 2025-26 EuroLeague regular-season standings with an 18-20 document.
The Israeli facet has already strengthened its roster with the additions of Bonzie Colson, Yam Madar and Daniel Theis whereas shedding Lonnie Walker IV, Tamir Blatt and Zach Hankins. Bacot’s arrival provides one other inside possibility alongside Roman Sorkin, who led Maccabi in scoring final season at 13.5 factors per sport in EuroLeague play.
“I’m actually excited to hitch a historic group like Maccabi Tel Aviv and to assist win and preserve enhancing,” Bacot mentioned after signing his contract.
Bacot will look to tackle a bigger function in Maccabi’s frontcourt after gaining expertise in Fenerbahce’s system underneath head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius.
