### BREAKING: Luka Bogavac Ignites in First Career Start as No. 18 UNC Tar Heels Hold Off Radford 89-74 π₯
**CHAPEL HILL, N.C. β November 11, 2025** β In a Veterans Day showdown at the Dean E. Smith Center that felt more like a gritty street fight than a mid-November tune-up, Montenegrin sensation Luka Bogavac announced his arrival as a full-time starter for the North Carolina Tar Heels with a blazing performance, dropping a team-high 19 points to go along with 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in 31 minutes of action. The 6-foot-6 junior guard, stepping into the breach left by injured senior captain Seth Trimble, powered No. 18 UNC (3-0) to a hard-fought 89-74 victory over a scrappy Radford Highlanders squad (2-1) that refused to roll over.
The win didn’t come easy. After stunning then-No. 19 Kansas just four days earlier in a statement victory that sent shockwaves through college basketball, the Tar Heels looked ripe for a classic lookahead letdown. Radford, led by Dennis Parker Jr.’s 23 points and Del Jones’ 22, hung tough, tying the game at 22 midway through the first half and keeping things close into the second. But Bogavac β pronounced “BOH-gah-vich” and already earning “LUUUU-KA!” chants from the Carolina faithful β refused to let his first start be anything less than memorable.
“I think today was just a little scrape of what he could do,” teammate Jarin Stevenson said postgame. “In practice, heβs amazing. He makes plays and knocks down threes. Heβs a great player, so heβs going to be a big part of this team.”
Bogavac’s line was efficient in impact if not always in shooting: 7-of-18 from the floor, 3-of-11 from deep, and a perfect 2-of-4 from the line with zero turnovers. He started ice-cold, bricking his first six attempts, but caught fire after halftime, scoring 12 of his 19 in the second frame. His highlight reel included a no-look, over-the-head lob to freshman star Caleb Wilson for a thunderous dunk that sent the Smith Center into a frenzy and extended UNC’s lead to double digits.
“That pass was crazy,” Wilson laughed afterward. The highly-touted rookie phenom backed up Bogavac with his first career double-double: 13 points and a monster 14 rebounds, plus 2 assists, a block, and a steal. Wilson, already drawing comparisons to UNC greats for his athleticism and motor, dominated the glass as Carolina outrebounded Radford 52-38.
The game itself was an old-school slugfest β 55 combined fouls, 80 free-throw attempts, and more whistles than a referee convention. UNC shot a dismal 63% from the stripe (leaving 18 points on the board), while Radford hacked its way to the line repeatedly. Jarin Stevenson, returning from a brief ankle scare early in the contest, poured in 15 points (10-of-12 FT) and grabbed 7 boards despite foul trouble that limited him early.
Head coach Hubert Davis, now in his fifth season guiding the Tar Heels, praised Bogavac’s poise in the spotlight. “One of the things I love about Luka is he always plays with energy, effort, and enthusiasm,” Davis said. “He does that every day, whether itβs practice or games. Obviously Luka has the ability to score in many different ways.”
For Bogavac, the night was the culmination of a whirlwind journey. The 22-year-old from Podgorica, Montenegro, arrived in Chapel Hill in August after starring professionally in the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA League) with SC Derby, where he averaged 14.9 points as one of Europe’s rising talents. Eligibility hurdles delayed his debut β he was cleared by the NCAA but needed final university approval, which came literally 30 minutes before UNC’s season opener against Central Arkansas on November 3.
Since then, “Luka Magic” β as some Tar Heel fans are already dubbing him β has quickly endeared himself to the Carolina blue faithful. The Smith Center crowd erupts into European-style “LUUUU-KA!” chants every time he touches the ball, a nod to his international roots and sharpshooting flair. His mother, Bozana, was in attendance for his first games, witnessing the emotional rollercoaster firsthand.
“There was a lot of extra stuff outside of basketball that was in my head,” Bogavac admitted in his first media availability after the Radford win. “Everything in my life changed. But now Iβm really happy to be playing, to be with the team, and just trying to win every single game.”
Bogavac’s pro background shines through in his advanced feel for the game. In Europe, he faced grown men night in and night out, honing a crafty handle, deadly pull-up jumper, and veteran-like court vision. Against Radford, even when shots weren’t falling early, he impacted winning: five assists (tied for team-high), two steals, and relentless energy on both ends.
The absence of Seth Trimble β UNC’s defensive heartbeat and lone returning starter from last season β thrust Bogavac into the lineup sooner than expected. Trimble, sidelined with a broken bone in his left forearm (spotted in a cast on the bench), is week-to-week, but his injury has opened the door for Bogavac to seize a permanent role.
“This is invaluable development for him,” Davis noted. “And ultimately it makes us a better team in March.”
With Trimble out, UNC’s revamped roster β featuring 10 newcomers around the senior leader β is still gelling. Transfers like Kyan Evans (Colorado State) and Henri Veesaar (Arizona), plus blue-chip freshmen, are finding their footing. But Bogavac’s blend of scoring punch, playmaking, and maturity looks like the glue this group needs.
Next up: North Carolina Central on Friday, followed by tougher tests as the non-conference slate heats up. If Bogavac’s first start is any indication, the Tar Heels have unearthed a gem who could carry them deep into March β and perhaps echo the international flair of past UNC legends.
As the “LUUUU-KA!” chants echoed through the Smith Center one final time, one thing was clear: Luka Bogavac isn’t just adjusting to college basketball. College basketball is adjusting to him.
**Final Stats Spotlight β Luka Bogavac (First Career Start):**
– 19 points (team-high)
– 5 assists (tied team-high, 0 turnovers)
– 3 rebounds
– 2 steals
– 31 minutes
– +15 plus/minus
The Montenegrin maestro is just getting started. π₯
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