Major news surfaced for the UNC basketball program on Saturday morning, as the answer to the Tar Heels' need at the wing position has been secured.
Montenegrin wing Luka Bogavac announced his commitment. The announcement came via his agent, Misko Raznatovic to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Bogavac was regarded as one of the top international prospects available in this recruiting cycle. The 6-foot-5 wing is coming off a season in the ABA (Adriatic Basketball Association) in which he averaged 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. In terms of shooting the basketball, Tar Heel fans will be thrilled to see his splits from this past season:
45% from the floor
40% from three-point range
87% from the free-throw line
New general manager Jim Tanner expressed his willingness to recruit international talent when he took over the job a few months ago, and that promise now holds true. North Carolina has two foreign-born players joining this new-look roster, as Henri Veesaar is also an overseas native.
If you're curious about how Bogavac's game will translate to the collegiate level, look no further than this outstanding tidbit from Inside Carolina:
"For a frame of reference about the competitive level of the ABA, consider that former Tar Heel All-American, and current Tar Heel assistant coach, Marcus Paige averaged 8.7 points per game in the 2020-21 season for the Partizan club (out of Serbia) in the ABA."
Seems to me like this shouldn't be an issue for Bogavac as he brings his talents to the United States.
North Carolina's new-look roster is likely close to completion. The addition of Bogavac is a major one for the program, especially considering their desperate need for depth along the wing.
Bogavac brings the ideal skillset to fit perfectly in what the Tar Heels are trying to accomplish. A veteran player with a ton of experience under his belt, combined with his ability to flat-out shoot the basketball.
This is a major addition for the UNC basketball program, one that should have an immediate impact on next year's squad.