Andrej Stojaković Carves His Own Path at Illinois

The son of NBA legend Peja Stojaković has developed a completely different game from his father to help the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:40pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting Andrej Stojaković's basketball skills and movements, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors representing the energy and intensity of the NCAA Tournament.Andrej Stojaković's versatile game and team-first mentality have been crucial to Illinois' Final Four run.Today in Sacramento

Andrej Stojaković, the son of former NBA sharpshooter Peja Stojaković, has emerged as a key player for Illinois in their run to the Final Four. Unlike his father, Andrej has developed a versatile game focused on finishing around the rim and playing stifling defense, rather than being a prolific 3-point shooter. Andrej has embraced the challenge of living up to his family's basketball legacy and carved out his own identity as a crucial piece of Illinois' success this season.

Why it matters

Andrej Stojaković's journey showcases how the son of an NBA legend can forge his own path and develop a playing style that complements, rather than mimics, his father's. His ability to adapt his game to what his team needs, rather than trying to replicate his father's skill set, has been crucial to Illinois' deep NCAA Tournament run.

The details

Despite growing up in Sacramento where his father Peja was a beloved figure, Andrej Stojaković embraced the challenge of living up to the family name. He attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California, where he stood out on the basketball court but fit in as a regular student during the school day. Andrej opted to train with his father in Greece during the summers rather than playing on the AAU circuit, focusing on developing his fundamentals. At Illinois, Andrej has evolved into a versatile forward who excels at finishing around the rim and playing lockdown defense, a far cry from his father's sharpshooting prowess. When Andrej suffered an ankle injury midway through the season, he seamlessly adjusted to a new role coming off the bench, showcasing his adaptability and team-first mentality.

  • Andrej Stojaković attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California from 2018 to 2022.
  • Andrej played only one year of AAU basketball before his senior year of high school, instead training with his father Peja in Greece during the summers.
  • Andrej transferred to Illinois after one season at Stanford, where he established himself as a top scorer at Cal in the 2022-23 season.
  • Andrej suffered an ankle injury in mid-February 2023 and missed two games, but returned to a new role coming off the bench for Illinois.

The players

Andrej Stojaković

The 6-foot-7 forward for Illinois, who is the son of former NBA sharpshooter Peja Stojaković. Andrej has developed a versatile game focused on finishing around the rim and playing stifling defense, in contrast to his father's perimeter-oriented style.

Peja Stojaković

A former NBA player who was one of the greatest 3-point shooters of his era, playing 13 seasons in the league and making over 1,700 3-pointers. Peja has taken a backseat to let his son Andrej carve out his own basketball legacy.

Tim Kelly

Andrej Stojaković's high school basketball coach at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California.

Drake U'u

A close family friend of the Stojakovićs who worked with Peja in the Sacramento Kings' front office and has known the family since 2015.

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What they’re saying

“Even from a young age, he's been unbothered. It's such a big last name to live up to. To his credit, he has continued to write his own story and work his butt off.”

— Drake U'u, Family Friend

“When my dad retired, and we moved back to Europe, no one really expected anything from me. I wasn't even playing basketball. And then we got back to Sacramento, it was kinda like a fresh page.”

— Andrej Stojaković

“He wants to win. He is a competitor. Whatever role you give him, he's going to be elite in that role.”

— Tim Kelly, High School Coach

What’s next

Andrej Stojaković and Illinois will face No. 2 seed UConn in the Final Four on Saturday, April 6, 2023, with a chance to advance to the national championship game.

The takeaway

Andrej Stojaković's journey from the shadow of his father's NBA legacy to becoming a key contributor for Illinois' Final Four run showcases how the son of a basketball legend can forge his own identity and playing style to complement, rather than replicate, his father's. Andrej's adaptability and team-first mentality have been crucial to the Fighting Illini's success this season.