Key Development for Tar Heels’ Newcomer: Luka Bogavac Finally on His Way to Chapel Hill
The wait is nearly over for one of North Carolina basketball’s most intriguing offseason additions. Luka Bogavac the 6-foot-5 sharpshooting wing from Montenegro has officially received his student visa, clearing a major hurdle in his transition from European professional basketball to the college game. For UNC fans who have been wondering when they’d finally see Bogavac in Carolina blue, the answer is: very soon.
According to Sherrell McMillan of Inside Carolina, Bogavac will be arriving in Chapel Hill next week after wrapping up the visa process. He had already been accepted by UNC in early July, but the final steps required an in-person interview at the U.S. embassy in Montenegro last week. With the visa now in hand, the 21-year-old will be able to attend his first classes on Monday, August 18, and join the Tar Heels in preseason practices immediately.
There’s still one more box to check before Bogavac can play in NCAA-sanctioned regular-season games official clearance from the NCAA itself. While the governing body is notoriously slow with its eligibility reviews, time is on Bogavac’s side. The Tar Heels’ season opener against Central Arkansas isn’t until November 3, giving the NCAA nearly three months to process his case. In the meantime, he will be eligible to suit up for UNC’s two preseason exhibitions against BYU in Salt Lake City on October 24 and Winston-Salem State in Chapel Hill on October 29.
Why This Matters for UNC’s 2025–26 Season
Bogavac’s arrival is a major boost for a Tar Heels squad in transition. After a disappointing 23–14 campaign that ended with a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Ole Miss, head coach Hubert Davis and general manager Jim Tanner essentially rebuilt the roster from the ground up. Ten new players have joined the program, including five transfers, a top-tier freshman class, and three international recruits.
Bogavac is part of a new wave of European influence in Chapel Hill, joining 7-foot Estonian center Henri Veesaar and Croatian forward Ivan Matlekovic. But unlike many international freshmen who need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of American college basketball, Bogavac arrives with a veteran’s poise.
That’s because he has already played four professional seasons in the highly competitive Adriatic Basketball Association for SC Derby in Podgorica, Montenegro. His final season in Europe was easily his best, averaging 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting a blistering 45.1% from the field, 39.9% from three, and 87% from the free-throw line. His scoring outbursts included eight games of 19 points or more over his final 15 appearances — highlighted by a seven-three-pointer performance for 24 points on March 30, and a season-high 27 points on April 25.
An International Pedigree
Bogavac’s résumé extends beyond club play. He’s represented Montenegro on the global stage, playing in the FIBA U20 European Championship in 2022 and 2023 before earning a spot on the senior national team. He took part in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers, giving him high-pressure experience against some of the best players in the world.
The Fit in Chapel Hill
For Hubert Davis, Bogavac brings exactly what this reshaped UNC roster needs perimeter shooting, size on the wing, and an unflappable demeanor in big moments. In a season where eight of UNC’s top nine scorers from last year are gone, his ability to space the floor and knock down shots could be the difference in close games.
While it’s still unclear if he’ll make his official UNC debut on opening night, one thing is certain: when Luka Bogavac finally steps onto the floor in a Tar Heel uniform, he won’t look like a freshman. He’ll look like a seasoned pro because that’s exactly what he is.
And for UNC, in a year of change and uncertainty, that kind of maturity could be worth its weight in gold.
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