It was no secret that Illinois has been on a mission to get as many European-born or related talent to Champaign, for the better part of most of the Brad Underwood era. That has continued to be the trend for the Fighting Illini. They not only gained three players originally from Europe during this offseason, but they have once again added another notable name from the transfer portal.
After quickly showing interest in California Golden Bear transfer Andrej Stojakovic, yes, the son of former NBA star Peja Stojakovic. A three-team race between the Illini, North Carolina, and Stanford is over. Illinois fans can officially rejoice.
Illinois Basketball All in After Landing Coveted Transfer, Andrej Stojakovic
Stojakovic is coming off a standout sophomore season with the Golden Bears. He was able to lead Cal in scoring in 2024-25 with an average of 17.9 points per game. He also averaged 1.2 blocks, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Now he’s on to his third school in three years, after beginning his collegiate career at Stanford.
Andrej Stojaković
Illinois
The Illini announced Stojaković will play his junior year in Champaign
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— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 28, 2025
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The second-generation player will try to help Illinois do what they have long had as to goal to do. Break through and win a National Championship. Head coach Brad Underwood has had plenty of talent walk through the doors of State Farm Arena in Champaign, but for whatever reason, they haven’t always gelled. This addition of Stojakovic to an already impressive line-up for the 2025-26 season has only bolstered their chances. They have at least put themselves into the Big Ten Title picture.
Illini Are Thinking Big
Stojakovic made the news official through ESPN’s Jonathan Givony that he would be heading to Illinois and the Big Ten. He also admitted that Illinois saw him as the missing piece for the Illini’s hopes of competing and winning a National Championship.
I think the main reasons were pretty clear to my inner circle as a basketball fit,” Stojakovic said. “Coach Underwood has been very aggressive recruiting me from the start and constantly reiterating how much I’m wanted and needed as a basketball player there. They really believe I’m the missing piece to what they think is a national championship team.”
It will be interesting to see where he is used, with so many other talented, bigger-sized guards already in Champaign. Andrej is 6-foot-7 and could play nearly anywhere on the floor. He also pointed to other previous bigger-sized guards and how they have thrived for Illinois.
“Their track record. Ayo Dosunmu, Terrance Shannon Jr, Marcus Domask, Will Riley, Kasparas Jakucionis, bigger guards that are considered ball-handlers, that can relieve pressure for their teammates,” Stojakovic told ESPN.
He isn’t wrong. Bigger guards have helped the Illini’s offense become one of the most dangerous in the Big Ten, and Stojakovic fits in nicely with this mold.
A Dangerous Lineup in the Big Ten
Even with Riley and Jakucionis gone to the NBA Draft, this Illini team for 2025-26 is still going to be one of the scariest units. They get to pair Stojakovic with four other Balkan heritage players that will be on the roster. Could you imagine a starting five of all Balkan players? You’re talking about a very physical line-up. This team is going to be hard to stop, with Mihailo Petrovic and David Mirkovic coming over from Serbia. Plus, maybe the deadliest brother duo seen since the Lopez Brothers at Stanford.
Zvonimir Ivisic and Tomislav Ivisic give Illinois a scary frontcourt pairing. Add in returning contributors Kylan Boswell, Jake Davis, and Ty Rodgers, and Illinois basketball is all in for 2025-26; they could find themselves on track for something very special. They are going to be hard to beat, especially if Stojakovic hits another level.
Photo credit: © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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