**ESPN Report:** *Despite leading his team in scoring, Luka Bogavac was NOT happy with his performance in the Tar Heels’ victory over Radford. Hear what Bogavac had to say…
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — For most players, scoring 22 points in a decisive win would be a reason to smile. But for North Carolina freshman guard **Luka Bogavac**, the performance felt far from perfect. After leading the **Tar Heels** in scoring during Tuesday night’s 86–68 victory over **Radford**, Bogavac appeared frustrated as he left the court, shaking his head despite a chorus of cheers from the Dean Smith Center crowd.
In the locker room afterward, Bogavac made it clear why.
> “I didn’t play the way I expect myself to,” he said. “Yeah, I made some shots, but I missed a lot of open ones, and I turned the ball over too many times. I know I can be better. The standard I hold myself to is higher than just scoring points.”
Bogavac finished the game shooting 7-for-15 from the field, including 3-for-8 from three-point range, and added five rebounds and four assists. On paper, it was an impressive stat line for a first-year guard still adjusting to the college game. But the 19-year-old from **Podgorica, Montenegro** said the numbers don’t tell the full story.
> “Coach [Hubert] Davis keeps preaching about playing the *right* way,” Bogavac continued. “It’s not just about points — it’s about decision-making, defense, communication. I missed some rotations, and I forced a few passes that I shouldn’t have. Those things matter if we want to win big games later.”
Davis, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for his young star.
> “Luka’s one of the most competitive kids I’ve ever coached,” Davis said. “He’s never satisfied, and that’s what makes him special. When your leading scorer comes into the locker room upset because he didn’t meet his own expectations, that’s a great sign for our team culture.”
Bogavac’s self-criticism reflects a growing maturity that has caught the attention of teammates and fans alike. Junior guard **R.J. Davis** said he admires the freshman’s mindset.
> “He’s got that fire,” Davis said. “Even when he’s scoring, he’s thinking about how to make the team better. You don’t see that in a lot of young players.”
Despite his frustrations, Bogavac did flash the skills that made him one of Europe’s top recruits — a quick first step, smooth shooting stroke, and a willingness to attack the rim. His ability to create offense both on and off the ball gave the Tar Heels the spark they needed after a sluggish first half.
Still, Bogavac’s focus after the game remained on growth rather than celebration.
> “We’ve got bigger goals,” he said. “Beating Radford is good, but we’re thinking about March. For me, it’s about building good habits now — because when it’s Duke or Kansas or the NCAA Tournament, every mistake counts.”
If Tuesday’s performance is any indication, Luka Bogavac’s ceiling is sky-high. And if his reaction afterward is any sign, he won’t rest until he reaches it.
*— ESPN Colleg
e Basketball, November 2025*
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