August 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nInside Carolina has been on this recent recruiting development leading up to the actual final decision. It seemed destined that this pairing would eventually happen, giving Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels staff another 7-footer to work with.<\/p>\n
Here’s what you need to know about the newest member of the UNC basketball program:<\/p>\n
-Matlekovic is originally from Sisak, Croatia.<\/p>\n
-He has experience playing for the Croatian National Team and Mladost, a men’s professional basketball club based in Zemun (near Belgium).<\/p>\n
-The 7-foot, 245 pound big man appeared in five games during his true freshman season at High Point. In limited action, he recorded 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per-game in just over six minutes played per contest.<\/p>\n
Now, you may be curious as to why the Tar Heels would be interested in a player that saw limited action at his previous stop. The answer is quite simple:<\/p>\n
The UNC basketball program sees Ivan Matlekovic as a big man they can develop over time.<\/p>\n
While playing time will likely be limited in his first year on campus, the Tar Heels coaching staff will use this time to develop his game. You can’t teach height but you can develop talent, as the UNC basketball program identified him as a worthy investment that they hope reaps major benefits down the road.<\/p>\n
The Tar Heels learned the hard way last season about how the lack of depth in the front court can come back to haunt you. Now, the program adds another player to the mix to compete for minutes in the post for the UNC basketball program.<\/p>\n
At this point, Matlekovic is likely the final piece of the 2025-2026 roster for Hubert Davis’ squad.<\/p>\n