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WHO IS IVAN MATLEKOVIC? The 6’11 Croatian Sleeper UNC Just Snatched from the Transfer Portal

 

The North Carolina Tar Heels just made a sneaky move that has fans buzzing—and it may be one of the most intriguing additions of the offseason.

 

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Ivan Matlekovic, a 6-foot-11 transfer big man from High Point University, has officially committed to UNC, his agents at WEAVE confirmed to On3. While his name isn’t yet on every fan’s radar, his size, international experience, and untapped potential make him a fascinating piece in Hubert Davis’ evolving roster puzzle.

 

So who exactly is this towering Croatian, and why did North Carolina bring him in?

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A Low-Usage Freshman with a Big Frame

Matlekovic played just five games in his freshman season at High Point, where he averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in just 6.2 minutes per outing. On paper, it’s a modest stat line. But beneath the surface lies a player with international polish and physical upside that UNC believes it can mold.

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Standing nearly seven feet tall with solid footwork and European fundamentals, Matlekovic brings size and depth to a frontcourt that’s undergoing transition. With Armando Bacot now gone and the Tar Heels shifting to a new era of big men, Matlekovic adds insurance, development potential, and a project with a high ceiling.

 

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International Roots, Professional Experience

Before coming to the U.S., Matlekovic played for Mladost, a second-tier professional club in Croatia. There, he averaged 5.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, competing against older, more physical players in a pro-style system.

 

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That experience matters.

 

It means he’s already been in a high-pressure environment. It also means he’s familiar with the discipline, structure, and physicality that comes with professional expectations—something most freshman bigs in college basketball are still learning.

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A Strategic Depth Move by UNC

Let’s be clear: Matlekovic is not being brought in to replace a star. At least not yet.

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But this is the kind of smart, under-the-radar acquisition that can pay dividends for a program with championship aspirations. He’ll likely be used in a limited role early, but given his size and development arc, he could become a valuable contributor over time—especially in a league where size and length still matter.

 

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Hubert Davis and the Tar Heel staff have shown an ability to identify underappreciated pieces, and Matlekovic could be the next success story in that line.

 

Don’t Be Surprised If He Pops

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Every year, we see a player who seemingly comes out of nowhere—someone fans didn’t know in July but are chanting for by January. With Matlekovic’s size, European touch, and now the guidance of a blue-blood coaching staff, he could be that guy.

 

So while the commitment didn’t break the internet, it might just break through on the court when UNC needs an energy spark, a rim protector, or a surprise difference-maker in a big game.

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Time will tell. But for now, Tar Heel Nation just added a 6’11 wild card—and that’s always worth paying attention to.

 

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