Maccabi Tel Aviv Nears Signing Former Fenerbahce Center Armando Bacot for 2026/27 Season

Maccabi Tel Aviv is reportedly close to signing Armando Bacot, a 26-year-old center who played last season for Fenerbahce, as they prepare for the 2026/2027 basketball season. The club has been searching for two centers and a guard, with Bacot seen as a strong candidate for one of the center positions. Sources within Maccabi believe Bacot will join the team despite current security concerns, which did not hinder negotiations as they did with previous targets like Rishon Holmes.

Bacot has been on Maccabi's radar for some time. Although the team explored other options, none materialized, and Bacot, who struggled to find a team after his stint in Europe, has regained relevance. He arrived in Europe last summer with Fenerbahce after five seasons at the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, where he averaged 16.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in the G League.

However, Bacot's performance in the EuroLeague was modest, averaging 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10 minutes over 26 games. In the Turkish league, he contributed 6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 17.5 minutes per game, shooting nearly 50% from the field. Notably, Bacot has not appeared in a Turkish league game since April 7 against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Maccabi continues to seek an additional senior center and a guard to strengthen their roster.