UNC basketball: Tar Heels get more good news after Armando Bacot return

Leaky Black joins Armando Bacot in wanting to run it back with the UNC basketball program.

Fresh off a national championship game appearance, the UNC basketball team is not only getting back Armando Bacot, but Leaky Black said he will be back for his fifth season with the Tar Heels.

Black tweeted out a heartfelt video on Friday afternoon about his decision to exhaust his final year of collegiate eligibility in Carolina blue. While Bacot and Oklahoma graduate transfer Brady Manek became the biggest names during the Tar Heels’ run to the national title, Black’s name began to resonate nationally with every win North Carolina accumulated throughout the NCAA Tournament.

Here is the video he tweeted out Friday, getting Tar Heel fans everywhere fired up in the process.

UNC basketball star Leaky Black returning for his fifth season in Chapel Hill

While the NBA may be part of his basketball future, Black’s basketball present is outstanding at North Carolina. The Tar Heels massively overachieved in Hubert Davis’ first year at the helm taking over for the iconic Roy Williams. From being on the tournament bubble in February to nearly winning the whole thing in April, North Carolina should carry a ton of momentum into next season.

As for what Black’s return means for the Tar Heels, it not only gives them a strong core to build on heading into next season, but it will allow Black to truly capitalize on his NIL opportunities. He and Bacot will be two of the most marketable stars in college hoops returning next season. It may not be that of a pro contract, but it should be enough to stay in school and pursue a masters degree.

Ultimately, the key message in Black’s return video is that he wants to cherish every last second in Carolina blue for as long as he can. Chapel Hill is a special place and Black is well aware of that. When else will he have the opportunity to play ball with his best friends on the planet and pursue an elusive national title? Run-it-back stories do not always pan out, but look out for UNC in 2023.

Expectations will be sky-high for the 2022-23 Tar Heels, but that is what Bacot and Black want.

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