Andrej Stojakovic Leads Illinois to Sweet 16: 'We Came Here For a Reason'

Illini wing Stojakovic spent two years on the West Coast but hadn't played in an NCAA Tournament game. Now he's playing in the Sweet 16.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:41am

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After two years of high-major college hoops (at Stanford and Cal), Andrej Stojakovic hadn't cracked the .500 mark in a season and hadn't even sniffed the NCAA Tournament. Then he transferred to Illinois. Stojakovic has nearly matched his combined career win total (28 victories) in just one season at Illinois, and he led the team to the Sweet 16 with a game-high 21 points in their victory over VCU.

Why it matters

Stojakovic's transfer to Illinois has paid off, as he has been a key contributor to the team's success this season. His performance in the NCAA Tournament shows that he has made the necessary sacrifices and adjustments to become a valuable part of a winning program.

The details

Stojakovic's individual numbers have dropped from his previous seasons, as he has moved to a reserve role. However, he has embraced his new role and helped Illinois reach the Sweet 16, which is a significant accomplishment for a player who had never experienced the NCAA Tournament before.

  • Stojakovic reflected on his decision to transfer to Illinois back in October.
  • Illinois defeated VCU on Saturday night to advance to the Sweet 16.

The players

Andrej Stojakovic

A wing player for the Illinois Fighting Illini who transferred from Stanford and Cal, where he had not experienced much team success.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini, who believed Stojakovic could contribute to a winning team.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, it's a place where I've wanted to get to for a long time now. The day before the game, getting to shoot on the court with the guys was pretty surreal. And then yesterday, as soon as the tip went up [against Penn], the nerves went away and it was time to play. So I'm just glad we got the win and moved on.”

— Andrej Stojakovic

“That was the No. 1 thing: to produce on a winning team. Coach Underwood really believes I can do that, and I think I have the relationship with him where my skill set just adds on to the team, and we mesh very well together.”

— Andrej Stojakovic

What’s next

Illinois will face the winner of the matchup between Gonzaga and UCLA in the Sweet 16.

The takeaway

Stojakovic's transfer to Illinois has been a success, as he has sacrificed individual stats to become a key contributor to a winning team. His performance in the NCAA Tournament shows that he has found the right fit and is thriving in his new role.