Five-star Power Forward Includes OSU Among Top Schools

Five-star power forward Armando Bacot of Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia, named his top schools on Wednesday and included OSU along with a handful of blueblood schools.

Duke, UNC, Kansas, Virginia Tech, Virginia, VCU, Villanova, UCLA and Butler rounded out his top 10 in a major trim down from his 35 reported scholarship opportunities.

“I thought those were the 10 that I could most see myself actually going to and I didn’t want to set other schools up and waste their time,” he told Rivals. “I definitely think those 10 put me in the best spot to possibly get to the next level but also are the best fit for me.”

Bacot is a 6-foot-9, 225-pound power forward/center who has been a major target for Mike Boynton and his staff since they offered back in May. Boynton made a visit to see him back in September, too, which may have ultimately solidified the Pokes and their standing among his leaders.

“They are definitely a school that is interested in me,” Bacot said of OSU. “They came down to see me three of four times during the fall live periods. Coach (Dave) Kontaxis reaches out to me all the time. He is just a good dude and they want me to come and have the ball in my hands.”

According to the 247Sports composite, however, Duke is the leader to land him with all 5 247Sports predictions currently in favor of the Blue Devils.

OSU has a handful of offers out to power forwards in the 2019 class on top of Armando Bacot, including five-star James Wiseman, four-star Will Baker, and four-star Drew Timme.

If I were a bettin’ man, I’d bet on OSU not winning the Armando Bacot sweepstakes. However the fact that a player of his caliber is even considering OSU despite the FBI’s cloud over the program could bode well for Boynton on the recruiting trail. If a five-star hasn’t shied away, then perhaps other targets for 2018 won’t either.