Men's Basketball Signs Matija Samar
4/28/2026 1:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Samar is a sophomore transfer from Oregon State
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Men's Basketball has added a second transfer to the signing class of 2026, officially introducing Matija Samar today. Samar is a Slovenian national who spent his freshman campaign at Oregon State and played at a high level within the Slovenia National Team system and the Spanish Segunda FEB.
"The coaching staff had a big impact on my decision to come to Kansas City," Samar said. "I'm very proud and honored to play for Coach Turgeon. I'm excited to start practicing and meet the team."
During his time at Oregon State, Samar appeared in 28 games, making five starts. He earned a starting nod in his collegiate debut, a win over the Summit League's North Dakota State, scoring nine points and pulling down three rebounds. He reached double-digit scoring five times for the Beavers, including a season-high 14-point game at Seattle U in which he shot 4-of-6 from three. On the season, he averaged 4.7 points per game, adding 1.9 rebounds and 91.7% free throw shooting.
Prior to his collegiate career, he played with the Slovenian national U20 team at the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket. He averaged 9.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, reaching double figures in four of the team's final five contests. He scored 19 points in a semifinal win over Belarus, leading the team to a championship game appearance.
He also spent three seasons in Segunda FEB, most recently playing for CB Ciudad de Ponferrada in 2024-25. He led the league in scoring at 19.8 points per game, adding 4.0 rebounds per game. He shot at a 35.5% clip from three-point range.
Samar was born on Dec. 28, 2004 in Jesenice, Slovenia to parents Primoz Samar and Spela Smalc. He has one sibling, Ziga.
"The coaching staff had a big impact on my decision to come to Kansas City," Samar said. "I'm very proud and honored to play for Coach Turgeon. I'm excited to start practicing and meet the team."
During his time at Oregon State, Samar appeared in 28 games, making five starts. He earned a starting nod in his collegiate debut, a win over the Summit League's North Dakota State, scoring nine points and pulling down three rebounds. He reached double-digit scoring five times for the Beavers, including a season-high 14-point game at Seattle U in which he shot 4-of-6 from three. On the season, he averaged 4.7 points per game, adding 1.9 rebounds and 91.7% free throw shooting.
Prior to his collegiate career, he played with the Slovenian national U20 team at the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket. He averaged 9.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, reaching double figures in four of the team's final five contests. He scored 19 points in a semifinal win over Belarus, leading the team to a championship game appearance.
He also spent three seasons in Segunda FEB, most recently playing for CB Ciudad de Ponferrada in 2024-25. He led the league in scoring at 19.8 points per game, adding 4.0 rebounds per game. He shot at a 35.5% clip from three-point range.
Samar was born on Dec. 28, 2004 in Jesenice, Slovenia to parents Primoz Samar and Spela Smalc. He has one sibling, Ziga.
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