Illinois’ Andrej Stojakovic Delivers Strong Scoring Performance Against LIU
Illinois forward Andrej Stojakovic continues to bolster his reputation as a top prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft. After a breakout season at California—where he averaged 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals—he had the option to declare for the 2025 draft. Instead, the 6-foot-7 wing chose to return to college for his junior year, this time transferring to Illinois. Four games into the 2025–26 season, that decision is proving worthwhile, as he’s posting 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting an efficient 57.4%.
In his latest outing, Stojakovic, the son of NBA great Peja Stojakovic, scored 20 points with four rebounds and two blocks in only 25 minutes during a 98–58 rout of Long Island University, hitting 10 of his 15 shots. It marked his third game of at least 20 points this season—he previously put up 26 points on nearly 69% shooting in a narrow loss to No. 11 Alabama.
What separates the 21-year-old is his maturity and scoring feel on the wing. He doesn’t over-dribble, moves purposefully, and consistently works his way into the paint or midrange. His jumper is smooth as well, though he has yet to find his rhythm from deep this year (21.4%). At Cal last season, he shot 43% from the field, 32% from three, and 82% at the line.
Stojakovic’s production is even more notable given the talent surrounding him on the No. 8-ranked Illini, who feature standouts like Kylan Boswell, David Mirkovic, and Keaton Wagler. Even in a stacked lineup, he has carved out a significant role.
As he continues developing as an inside-the-arc creator—progress first seen during his freshman season at Stanford—Stojakovic looks every bit the NBA-caliber prospect. His strength, composure, and ability to absorb contact all stand out.
The main question mark remains his three-point consistency. He hasn’t yet shown knockdown ability from deep, but the potential is clearly there. Matchups against Big Ten competition will provide a better gauge of how his game holds up against elite defenders, but 20-point performances versus Alabama and Texas Tech already speak volumes. The Serbian standout is definitely a player to watch as Illinois navigates the early season.
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