Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv has added frontcourt depth by signing Armando Bacot to a two-year contract, bringing in the 26-year-old center after his championship season with Fenerbahce. The Israeli club announced the move Thursday, August 6, as it continues reshaping its roster for the 2026-27 EuroLeague campaign.

Bacot arrives in Tel Aviv after spending the 2025-26 season with Fenerbahce, where he won the Turkish League championship, Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup alongside Bonzie Colson. The 2.08-meter center played a limited role in EuroLeague competition, averaging 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10.1 minutes over 26 appearances.

In Turkish league action, Bacot saw a larger role, averaging 6.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game across 19 appearances. He shot 49.4% from the field, 34.6% from three-point range and 76.3% from the free-throw line during the domestic season.

Bacot built his reputation at the University of North Carolina, where he became one of the most productive players in program history. During five seasons with the Tar Heels, he averaged 13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 169 games, shooting 55.2% from the field.

His best collegiate season came in 2021-22, when Bacot averaged 16.3 points and 13.1 rebounds while helping North Carolina reach the NCAA championship game. He finished his UNC career with 1,715 rebounds, establishing himself as one of the program’s top rebounders.

Before joining Fenerbahce, Bacot spent time in the NBA G League with Memphis’ affiliate, where he averaged 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists across 50 games. He then made his European debut with one of the continent’s biggest clubs.

Maccabi enters the 2026-27 season after finishing 12th in the 2025-26 EuroLeague regular-season standings with an 18-20 record.

The Israeli side has already strengthened its roster with the additions of Bonzie Colson, Yam Madar and Daniel Theis while losing Lonnie Walker IV, Tamir Blatt and Zach Hankins. Bacot’s arrival adds another interior option alongside Roman Sorkin, who led Maccabi in scoring last season at 13.5 points per game in EuroLeague play.

“I am really excited to join a historic organization like Maccabi Tel Aviv and to help win and keep improving,” Bacot said after signing his contract.

Bacot will look to take on a larger role in Maccabi’s frontcourt after gaining experience in Fenerbahce’s system under head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius.