CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Brad Underwood announced Monday that Andrej Stojakovic has signed a Big Ten Athletics Aid Agreement with the University of Illinois and will join the Fighting Illini program as a transfer.
Stojakovic is a 6-foot-7-inch, 205-pound guard from Carmichael, California. He will join the Illini as a junior after a breakout year at Cal this past season prior to beginning his career at Stanford in 2023-24.
"Andrej is a veteran, proven scorer who does it in all three facets: catch and shoot, off the dribble, and post ups," Underwood said. "He has great size on the perimeter, ball handling skills, playmaking abilities, quickness on the defensive end, and knack for blocking shots. Andrej is a very important addition for us because of his experience, high basketball IQ, and productivity. He has had very good coaching and shows a tremendous understanding for how to play the game on both ends of the court."
Stojakovic was a prolific scorer at Cal, averaging 17.9 points to lead the team and rank sixth in the ACC. He scored in double figures in 25 of his 29 games, with 13 games of 20+ points, including three 30+ point outings. He closed the year in grand fashion, pouring in a career-high 37 points vs. Stanford in the ACC Tournament second round (3/12/25) following 29 points vs. Virginia Tech in the first round (3/11/25) to earn a spot on the ACC All-Tournament First Team. Â
Stojakovic was an NABC All-Pacific District Second Team selection and All-ACC Honorable Mention, posting season averages of 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks. In addition to scoring, he also led the Bears in blocks with 34, led by a career-high six blocks vs. Notre Dame (3/8/25). He registered his first career double-double at Stanford, tallying 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds (2/22/25).
As a true freshman at Stanford, Stojakovic started 10 of 32 games, averaging 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds. He had nine double-digit scoring games, led by a season-high 20-point effort vs. USC (2/10/24).
In 61 career total games spanning two college seasons, Stojakovic has averaged 12.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 42% from the floor, including 32.1% from 3-point range, and 76.6% from the free-throw line.
Stojakovic was a 2023 McDonald's All-American, graduating from Jesuit High School. He was ranked No. 19 nationally by 247 Sports, No. 22 by ESPN, No. 35 by On3, and No. 41 by Rivals in the Class of 2023.
He is the son of NBA legend Peja Stojakovic, who was a three-time All-Star during his 13-year career from 1998-2011 and won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 in his final season.
The signing of Stojakovic marks the second impact transfer for the Illini, following the addition of Zvonimir Ivisic from Arkansas.
Illinois is coming off a 22-win season and NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance. The Fighting Illini are the winningest team in Big Ten play over the last six years during the Underwood era and stand as one of just four teams nationally with six straight 20-win regular seasons.
