Illinois Lands Commitment from Andrej Stojaković for Next Season

Stojaković, son of NBA legend Peja Stojaković, will join the Fighting Illini for the 2026-27 campaign.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:10pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's jump shot broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, orange, and white, conveying the dynamic energy and potential of the Illinois basketball program.Andrej Stojaković's commitment to Illinois adds another elite talent to the Fighting Illini's promising roster.Champaign Today

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball program received a major boost this week with the commitment of highly touted recruit Andrej Stojaković, the son of former NBA All-Star Peja Stojaković. Stojaković, a 6'7" small forward, announced he will be joining the Illini for the 2026-27 season, further strengthening a roster that is already loaded with young talent.

Why it matters

Stojaković's decision to play for Illinois is a significant recruiting win for head coach Brad Underwood, who has been working to rebuild the program into a national contender. Stojaković's size, skill, and pedigree make him a potential impact player who could help the Illini compete for Big Ten titles and NCAA Tournament berths in the coming years.

The details

A five-star recruit and top-20 prospect nationally, Stojaković chose Illinois over offers from several other top programs. His father, Peja, was a three-time NBA All-Star and won the 2000 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. The younger Stojaković is known for his versatile game, three-point shooting ability, and high basketball IQ.

  • Stojaković announced his commitment on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • He will join the Fighting Illini for the 2026-27 season.

The players

Andrej Stojaković

A 6'7" small forward and five-star recruit who is the son of former NBA All-Star Peja Stojaković.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team.

Peja Stojaković

Andrej's father, a three-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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What they’re saying

“Andrej is a perfect fit for our program and we're thrilled to have him join the Fighting Illini family.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

What’s next

Stojaković will officially sign his National Letter of Intent in the coming weeks and is expected to enroll at the University of Illinois for the fall 2026 semester.

The takeaway

Stojaković's commitment is a major recruiting win for Illinois, as the program continues to build a talented roster that could challenge for Big Ten titles and deep NCAA Tournament runs in the near future.