Ajdin Penava


Ajdin Penava is a Bosnian basketball player for Belfius Mons-Hainaut of the Belgian Pro Basketball League. He played college basketball for Marshall University in the Conference USA. He led NCAA Division I in blocks per game in 2017–18.

Early life

Penava attended Peta Gimnazija in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

College career

Penava was a bench player during his first two seasons with the Herd. He had his breakout season as a junior when he became a full-time starter. One of his best games came against the Ohio Bobcats where he had 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 blocks in a 99–96 win. He would later help lead Marshall to an upset win against Wichita State in the 2018 NCAA Tournament scoring 16 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and blocking 3 shots. Penava lead the nation in blocks during 2017–18 season and decided to declare for the 2018 NBA draft at season's end. He initially did not sign with an agent, but decided to on April 19, and did not return to Marshall for his senior season.

Professional career

On September 2, 2018, Penava signed a four-year deal with Kirolbet Baskonia of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. On February 26, 2019, Penava joined to the Baskonia reserve team. On July 6, 2020, Penava signed with Belfius Mons-Hainaut of the Pro Basketball League.

National team career

Penava played for the Bosnian national team during the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. Penava averaged 5.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg during the tournament.