Heel Tough Blog: UNC Adds High Point Transfer to 2025-26 Transfer Portal Haul

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A move that has been expected for some time became official earlier tonight, as Carolina Basketball has landed High Point transfer, Ivan Matlekovic, ahead of the 2025-26 season, adding more size and depth to UNC’s revamped frontcourt. Matlekovic stands at 6-11 and played in 5 games for the Panthers last season, averaging 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds on 75% shooting. Matlekovic is a native of Croatia, and played for the Croatian national team back in 2022, in the U18 European Championship, and also played for HAKK Miadost in the Croatian Basketball League. After spending just one season at High Point, he’ll join the UNC program with three years of eligibility left. 

Matlekovic will become the 10th new Tar Heel to join the program ahead of a pivotal season for head coach Hubert Davis, although he’ll have the lowest of expectations among all the newcomers. Carolina kept the door open to add more talent and depth to the roster, with a handful of roster spots available, and Matlekovic will provide another body for practice, in a revamped frontcourt that now has plenty of international flavor. 

Carolina is still awaiting the arrival of Luka Bogovac, but intel from around the program is positive, and the belief is that he’ll be cleared and ready to go once the fall semester begins in August. If that comes to fruition, Matlekovic won’t be the only new Tar Heel behind the 8-ball, since the team has conducted multiple practices and team-bonding sessions over the summer in Chapel Hill. 

Upon his arrival, Matlekovic will find himself competing against rising sophomore James Brown for minutes coming off the bench, as they are set to back up Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar. 

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