UNC transfer target takes note of Armando Bacot return

Former Texas Tech shooter Terrence Shannon Jr. recently entered the NCAA transfer portal and is already eyeing the return of UNC big man Armando Bacot Jr. 

Although Brady Manek will forever be a Tar Heel at heart, the unfortunate reality is that the 23-year-old shooter is no longer eligible to play at UNC next season. Although Manek is out, the four remaining core members of the Iron Fiv e— Caleb Love, Armando Bacot Jr., R.J. Davis and Leaky Black — are all expected to return to Chapel Hill.

At least one of the Iron Five has confirmed his return on social media: Armando Bacot Jr. made his UNC return official as he promised to do his best to run it back and win the chip this time around.

While Bacot Jr. and his teammates garnered praise from around the NCAA and the NBA, there’s one particular player who was notably moved by Bacot Jr.’s emotional pledge to return. Terrence Shannon Jr., a Texas Tech shooter whose team was felled by Duke in the Sweet 16 round of March Madness, shared his feelings on Bacot Jr.’s announcement over Twitter.

Terrence Shannon Jr. could replace Brady Manek for the UNC Tar Heels

Shannon Jr. recently shared his own emotional update concerning his collegiate basketball career, but rather than answering whether or not he would join the NBA Draft, he announced that he would be transferring out of Texas Tech. Shannon Jr. will remain eligible for the next two years, which would allow some continuity as UNC tries to build on its championship-caliber team.

It’s also worth noting that Shannon Jr. already has ties to the North Carolina program. According to Tar Heels Wire, North Carolina was among Shannon Jr.’s top six teams when he entered college in 2019. Shannon Jr. is also a former teammate of Bacot Jr., as the two played together in high school at IMG Academy.

During his three years at Texas Tech, Shannon Jr. averaged 11.0 points per game, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Expected to be one of the most sought-after targets in the NCAA transfer portal, UNC basketball could easily have the edge over competing schools, especially with Bacot Jr. coming back.