UNC Finding Bogavac as Skilled, Curious New Teammate

Learning Luka: UNC Finding Bogavac as Skilled, Curious New Teammate

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. The sense of curiosity surrounding how Luka Bogavac, North Carolina’s latest international addition, will transition into NCAA basketball is being met with early optimism. The Tar Heels are finding him not only to be a polished offensive talent but also an inquisitive, personable teammate eager to embrace his new environment.

Bogavac, a 6-foot-6 guard from Montenegro, is one of 10 new faces on an overhauled UNC roster. He arrived in Chapel Hill last month after carving out a promising career in the Adriatic Basketball Association, where he spent the last two seasons with SC Derby. His résumé includes professional basketball in Serbia and Montenegro, as well as appearances on multiple FIBA stages with the Montenegrin national program.

Only days past his 22nd birthday, Bogavac is coming off his best professional season, averaging nearly 15 points per game. Now, the challenge before him is adapting to college basketball, where pace, physicality, and athleticism often set the tone. Head coach Hubert Davis and his staff began full preseason practices this week, giving Bogavac his first real taste of the Tar Heel system.

“Luka as a person is super funny, super personable,” senior guard Seth Trimble said. “He’s just curious about everything  American culture, food, how we hang out. And he’s unintentionally funny, just because he’s coming from Montenegro and everything is new to him.

“But on the floor? He’s an incredible basketball player. He plays with control, hunts his shot, and is really aggressive offensively. He adds a dynamic we need, and I’m excited about that.”

UNC will ramp up toward the Nov. 3 season opener against Central Arkansas with a series of exhibitions, including the Blue-White scrimmage (Oct. 4) and a road test at BYU (Oct. 24). Bogavac, who committed May 31, cleared admissions in July, and secured his visa in August, still awaits the final step NCAA clearance, which insiders expect to be a formality.

His production overseas was undeniable: 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 45.1% shooting, while hitting nearly 40% from beyond the arc and 87% at the free-throw line. Down the stretch, he scored 19-plus points in eight of his last 15 ABA games, highlighted by a 27-point outburst fueled by five threes.

“He’s older than most freshmen, so he knows what it takes to compete,” transfer center Henri Veesaar said. “He’ll need to adjust to the speed and defensive physicality here, but he’s under control at all times. That, plus his shooting, makes him really valuable.”

Veesaar, a 7-footer from Estonia and a Real Madrid youth product, understands the transition Bogavac faces. Teammates say Luka has already noticed how much less time and space he gets compared to the ABA. Still, his poise with the ball and ability to make decisions in pick-and-rolls stand out.

The basketball roots run deep for Bogavac. His father, Nebojša, played professionally in Europe for 13 years and has coached since 2012, currently serving as an assistant with French club Metropolitans 92. Luka’s calm reads and ability to stay steady under pressure bear the imprint of a player raised around the game.

“He’s great in pick-and-rolls,” Veesaar said. “Nothing speeds him up. He’ll calmly get to the free-throw line, read the defense, then hit the jumper, floater, or find a pass. That control sets him apart.”

Bogavac also joins a wave of ABA talent now finding homes in college basketball. Former SC Derby teammates David Mirkovic (Illinois), Andrija Grbović (Arizona State), and Vladimir Sudar (Pepperdine) are beginning their NCAA journeys this season. Even UNC assistant Marcus Paige once competed in the same league with Serbian powerhouse Partizan, averaging 12.3 points during his debut ABA season.

As for cultural adjustment, Bogavac’s English is strong, though Trimble joked about the occasional breakdown. “We can’t go too heavy with slang  he’ll miss some things,” Trimble said. “But on the court, communication is great. We only had one moment where I couldn’t understand him because he spoke too fast, but we worked it out. Otherwise, he’s fitting right in.”

For North Carolina, Bogavac represents more than just scoring depth. He embodies experience, maturity, and an eagerness to grow  traits that could help elevate a roster blending returning contributors, key transfers, and heralded freshmen.