Andrej Stojakovic was the golden goose of Illinois’ 2025-26 transfer class.
The big-name transfer was expected to be the Illini’s superstar for Brad Underwood’s new-look team. It appeared he was going to play a Terrence Shannon Jr.-like role as a slasher and go-to guy when you need someone to create their own shot.
For the most part, that didn’t happen.
A combination of injuries and freshman Keaton Wagler bursting onto the scene took away some opportunities for Stojakovic, who has spent a good part
of the season coming off the bench.
But in the last month, when it’s mattered most, Stojakovic has taken his role and run with it, becoming an integral part of Illinois’ gameplan and helping the team reach its first Final Four since 2005.
So who is Stojakovic?
You’re probably familiar with his dad Peja.
Peja played for five NBA teams and won the 2011 championship with Dirk and the Mavericks. You probably remember him as one of the greatest three-point shooters in league history (1,760 made threes, the fourth-most in NBA history when he retired).
You may have even seen him pop up in the stands during the game, almost never wearing orange for some reason.
Andrej (pronounced Andre) is — surprisingly — not like his dad.
He’s only shot 24.4% from distance this season, after not topping off at 32% during his first two years when he played at Cal and Stanford.
Speaking of those schools, while his name ends in “-ic,” Andrej isn’t technically part of Illinois’ so-called Balkan Bloc. Stojakovic was born in California and was a 2023 McDonald’s All-American, while the Illini’s other “-ic” players all started their careers overseas where they’re from.
Again, back to the kind of guy Andrej is. While he’s not much of a shooter from distance, he’s been superb at getting to the bucket and making tough shots, especially in the NCAA Tournament. He’s scored at least 13 points in each of the Illini’s last three wins and shooting 58% or better in all three.
While in the age of the transfer portal it’s no sure thing that Stojakovic returns for next fall for his second season as an Illini, he has certainly bought into a role that most players may have shied away from: being a sixth man and coming off the bench every game.
But Brad Underwood has found plenty of minutes for Stojakovic either as a ball handler or second option, especially when it matters at the end of the game.
For Illinois to win a national title this week in Indy, they’ll need everything they can get from Stojakovic on both ends of the court.
