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8:48 p.m. Update: Stojakovic announced around 6 p.m. that he is returning to Illinois for one more season. Here is the post from the X account of the Illinois Men's Basketball Team.
Illinois basketball fans are waiting on the NBA Draft decision of senior forward Andrej Stojakovic, who has until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time tonight to withdraw and return to Illinois next season.
Projected as a late second-round pick, Stojakovic would seemingly be wise to come back to Illinois where he will be guaranteed more money and have a chance to improve his stock next season for what is projecting to be a much weaker 2027 NBA Draft. Of course, money is probably not as big of a factor for Stojakovic, whose father Peja was a longtime NBA star. Andrej might just be ready to move on from college basketball, though I am expecting him to come back.
Whatever Andrej decides, best wishes, though I will guarantee him a spot on my top 30 Illinois men's basketball players of my 30-year fandom if he returns for one more season. How's that for pay for play? :-)
Seriously, Stojakovic really turned the corner during the NCAA Tournament last season, sparking Illinois off the bench on both ends of the court. With Keaton Wagler off to the NBA, Stojakovic will be featured much more within the Illinois offense next season along with returnees David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic and newcomers Stefan Vaaks and Quentin Coleman.
I am not sure too many opponents will be able to stop Stojakovic next season if he comes back to Illinois, where he could be first-team Big Ten and maybe play himself into the first round if he can improve his three-point shooting.
Whatever happens, Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood will pivot if needed, as building out rosters is what he does best. As long as we are not bringing in R.J. Luis or a soon-to-be 26-year-old player from Israel, Illinois will survive, though it will be much more preferable to see Stojakovic run it back and try to lead the Illini on another deep NCAA Tournament run.
Projected as a late second-round pick, Stojakovic would seemingly be wise to come back to Illinois where he will be guaranteed more money and have a chance to improve his stock next season for what is projecting to be a much weaker 2027 NBA Draft. Of course, money is probably not as big of a factor for Stojakovic, whose father Peja was a longtime NBA star. Andrej might just be ready to move on from college basketball, though I am expecting him to come back.
Whatever Andrej decides, best wishes, though I will guarantee him a spot on my top 30 Illinois men's basketball players of my 30-year fandom if he returns for one more season. How's that for pay for play? :-)
Seriously, Stojakovic really turned the corner during the NCAA Tournament last season, sparking Illinois off the bench on both ends of the court. With Keaton Wagler off to the NBA, Stojakovic will be featured much more within the Illinois offense next season along with returnees David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic and newcomers Stefan Vaaks and Quentin Coleman.
I am not sure too many opponents will be able to stop Stojakovic next season if he comes back to Illinois, where he could be first-team Big Ten and maybe play himself into the first round if he can improve his three-point shooting.
Whatever happens, Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood will pivot if needed, as building out rosters is what he does best. As long as we are not bringing in R.J. Luis or a soon-to-be 26-year-old player from Israel, Illinois will survive, though it will be much more preferable to see Stojakovic run it back and try to lead the Illini on another deep NCAA Tournament run.
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