Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: SPORTIDA
Murray State Basketball Inks Slovenian International Mark Padjen
4/17/2026 12:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Shooting guard joins Racers after successful club season at KK Ilirija
Mark Padjen, who currently plays club at KK Ilirija and is a senior national team member for Slovenia, has signed with Murray State men's basketball.
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The 6-foot-6, highly-touted guard averaged 11.2 points and 4.2 assists in 25 minutes for Ilirija Ljubljana in the Adriatic League in Slovenia.
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"Mark is a special talent who is going to have an immediate impact on our backcourt," head coach Ryan Miller said. "He is known for his versatility and his role as an impactful playmaker for others when he has the ball in his hands, and he has proven that with strong outings on the international stage. We are excited to welcome him to Murray."
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Padjen was an integral part of Slovenia's bronze-medal run at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, averaging 12.6 points, 5.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds in seven games played. He recorded two, 20-point outings during the tournament, including an event-high 23 points in a semi-final loss to Germany.
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He has also represented Slovenia at the FIBA U16 (2022) and U18 (2023) European Championships, the FIBA U18 (2024) EuroBasket Tournament and the 2025 EuroBasket qualifiers.
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Most recently, he has represented Slovenia at the senior level during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European qualifiers.
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Follow Murray State men's basketball on X and Instagram (@RacersHoops). Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics.
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The 6-foot-6, highly-touted guard averaged 11.2 points and 4.2 assists in 25 minutes for Ilirija Ljubljana in the Adriatic League in Slovenia.
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"Mark is a special talent who is going to have an immediate impact on our backcourt," head coach Ryan Miller said. "He is known for his versatility and his role as an impactful playmaker for others when he has the ball in his hands, and he has proven that with strong outings on the international stage. We are excited to welcome him to Murray."
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Padjen was an integral part of Slovenia's bronze-medal run at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, averaging 12.6 points, 5.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds in seven games played. He recorded two, 20-point outings during the tournament, including an event-high 23 points in a semi-final loss to Germany.
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He has also represented Slovenia at the FIBA U16 (2022) and U18 (2023) European Championships, the FIBA U18 (2024) EuroBasket Tournament and the 2025 EuroBasket qualifiers.
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Most recently, he has represented Slovenia at the senior level during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European qualifiers.
Â
Follow Murray State men's basketball on X and Instagram (@RacersHoops). Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics.
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