Maccabi Tel Aviv Center Armando Bacot Reveals College Earnings Surpassed Pro Career

Armando Bacot, the center for Maccabi Tel Aviv, disclosed in an interview with On3 that he earned over two million dollars during his five-year college basketball career at the University of North Carolina, a sum he described as life-changing. Bacot's extended college eligibility was due to NCAA rules granting an extra year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing him to play five seasons instead of the usual four. In one season alone, he earned approximately $930,000, nearly half of his total college earnings, under the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules that permit athletes to profit from endorsements and sponsorships.

Comparatively, Bacot's professional earnings have been lower, totaling around $950,000 from his time with Fenerbahçe and Maccabi Tel Aviv, plus a minor amount from the Memphis G League team. Bacot was a fan favorite at North Carolina and even appeared in a Netflix series filmed locally. The NIL regulations came into effect after Bacot had already played two seasons, suggesting he could have potentially earned even more under these rules. This revelation highlights the significant financial impact of the NIL policy on college athletes, contrasting with traditional professional earnings.