Maccabi Tel Aviv Center Armando Bacot Reveals Life-Changing College Earnings

Armando Bacot, the new center for Maccabi Tel Aviv, recently spoke about his transformative college basketball experience in the United States. Bacot played five seasons at the University of North Carolina, where he not only developed his game but also earned over $2 million through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals with companies like TurboTax. He admitted that initially, he did not fully grasp the financial impact, saying, "Suddenly you become a millionaire so fast. It was crazy, I didn’t understand what was happening."

Bacot credited his success to both his on-court performance and his ability to market himself, emphasizing the value of the North Carolina brand in attracting lucrative sponsorships. He noted that if he had not attended North Carolina, these opportunities would not have materialized. Since his departure, NIL earnings in college basketball have grown, exemplified by his former teammate Seth Trimble, who recently secured a $3 million deal at Louisville.

Reflecting on his journey, Bacot expressed deep gratitude for the financial and personal growth he experienced, stating, "I’m from Richmond. I got money that changed my life just by playing basketball in college. I will always be thankful to North Carolina and its brand. Earning over $2 million in college is crazy and life-changing." Maccabi Tel Aviv has now completed its roster for the 2026/27 season with Bacot as a key addition.