Michael Malone. Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Michael Malone gets first major win as North Carolina HC

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 8:45 PM ET

There's change happening in Chapel Hill, but guard Luka Bogavac is here for it.

That's huge news for new head coach Michael Malone, too, because Bogavac projects to be a big part of the future for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

A freshman from Mojkovac, Montenegro, Bogavac could have hit the transfer portal in search of greener pastures. After all, he was recruited by Hubert Davis to come to UNC, but now he's facing the prospect of having to get to know a new coach and a new system under Malone.

There's also the uncertainty of a new coach. What will Bogavac's role look like with Malone in charge?

Those are all reasons Bogavac could have skipped town via the transfer portal, but it's being reported that the former four-star international recruit will be coming back to North Carolina next season.

"Nope, I'm staying," Bogavac said when asked by Andrew Jones of 247Sports if he's entering the portal.

North Carolina guard Luka Bogavac told TarHeel247 on Tuesday he'll remain at UNC next year and will not enter the NCAA transfer portal.https://t.co/nJOkl6LSLW
— Andrew Jones (@AJTarHeel247) April 7, 2026

This is a huge early personnel win for Malone and the Tar Heels.

Luka Bogavac can be a major player for UNC moving forward

Bogavac played in all 33 games for UNC last season, averaging 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

He shot 40.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three-point range in 24.3 minutes per game.

The 22-year-old has good experience, and he should be one of the leaders for Malone and the Tar Heels in this new era. He played four professional seasons in the Adriatic Basketball Association before coming to North Carolina last summer.

Bogavac can be a major point-scorer in Malone's offensive system. Last season against Clemson in early March, he put up a career-high 20 points thanks to six made three-pointers.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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