Maccabi Tel Aviv Negotiates to Sign Fenerbahce Center Armando Bacot for 2026/27 Season

Maccabi Tel Aviv is in advanced talks to sign Armando Bacot, the 26-year-old center who played last season for Fenerbahce. Bacot, standing 2.08 meters tall, has been on Maccabi's radar for some time as they seek to strengthen their roster ahead of the 2026/27 basketball season. After exploring other options, the club has renewed its focus on Bacot, who would likely serve as the second foreign center in coach Oded Katash's rotation.

Bacot joined Fenerbahce last summer, marking his first European club experience after five collegiate seasons at the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and a year in the NBA G League with the Memphis Hustle. Despite strong G League averages of 16.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, Bacot struggled to replicate that impact in the EuroLeague, averaging just 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds over 26 games. In the Turkish league, he posted 6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game, shooting nearly 50% from the field.

Notably, Bacot has not appeared in a Turkish league game for Fenerbahce since April 7, 2026, against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Maccabi Tel Aviv is looking to add two centers this season, and Bacot remains a key candidate to fill one of those spots as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.