The North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team suffered a significant loss over the weekend, as starting guard Seth Trimble suffered a left forearm fracture after a workout machine malfunctioned during a team workout. An unbolted lat pulldown machine collapsed on him, causing the injury. Trimble underwent successful surgery and is expected to be out for the next 6-8 weeks.
The Tar Heels were among the nation’s most impressive teams in the first week of the 2025-26 college basketball season. UNC defeated No. 19-ranked Kansas behind a 24-point performance from freshman Caleb Wilson. Hubert Davis’ squad didn’t miss a beat without Trimble on Tuesday, defeating Radford 89-74.
Below, we’ll break down three players who could step up in Trimble’s absence over the next two months.
Luka Bogavac
The win over Radford gave UNC fans a glimpse of the depth on the roster this season. Freshman Luka Bogavac scored a season-high 19 points to lead four players in double-figures on the night. The 6-foot-6 guard from Mojkovac, Montenegro, stepped into Trimble’s spot as a starter and played a season-high 31 minutes in the win. He added five assists and shot 11 3-pointers, making three in the 15-point win.
Bogavac is off to a slow start from beyond the arc, but his three-point volume suggests he has the confidence to knock down shots from long range at a much higher clip. He’s shooting just 26.3% from 3-point range on 6.3 attempts per game.
Jonathan Powell
West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell had his best game of the season against Radford, scoring eight points on an efficient 3-of-6 shooting from the field.
Powell knocked down 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and flashed some potential on the defensive end with a block and a steal in just 22 minutes of action. Powell has recorded a steal in every game this season despite playing a combined 21 minutes in UNC’s first two games.
If he can continue to shoot the ball well from long range, Powell could develop into a solid 3-and-D option off of the bench for a team that looks like it could contend for a national title.
Derek Dixon
Rounding out the list is another freshman who played a season-high in minutes against Radford on Tuesday.
A four-star recruit, Dennis Dixon scored a career-high seven points despite shooting just 1-of-5 from the floor in the win.
The 6-foot-5 guard gave UNC some high-energy minutes off the bench and was aggressive attacking the basket. Dixon finished with six free throw attempts and added five rebounds.
