Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Weighs NBA Draft Decision

The Illini wing has yet to announce his plans for the 2026-27 season, leaving fans wondering if he'll return to Champaign.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an Illinois basketball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the team's palette of navy blue, orange, and white.Stojakovic's NBA draft decision looms large over Illinois' championship aspirations.Houston Today

Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic, the team's second-leading scorer in 2025-26, has not yet announced his intentions for the upcoming season. With the rest of the Illini's core returning, Stojakovic's decision will be crucial in determining the team's national championship aspirations. The delay in his announcement could be due to evaluating his NBA draft stock through the combine process, but most signs point to the talented wing returning to Illinois for one more season.

Why it matters

Stojakovic is arguably the most integral player, alongside David Mirkovic, in determining the Illini's offseason success. If he returns, Illinois will be a national title contender. If he leaves, the team will need to retool through the transfer portal to build another Final Four-caliber squad.

The details

Stojakovic, a 6-foot-7 wing, has the physical tools and potential to play at the next level. However, his perimeter shooting (24.4% from 3 last season) will be a key factor in his NBA draft evaluation. By attending the combine, he can get feedback from scouts and make an informed decision on whether to stay in the draft or return to Illinois for his junior season, where he could improve his shooting and solidify his professional prospects.

  • The transfer portal window closes on April 21.
  • The NBA Draft Combine is scheduled for May.
  • The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is May 27.

The players

Andrej Stojakovic

Illinois' second-leading scorer in 2025-26, a 6-foot-7 wing with the physical tools and potential to play at the next level.

Brad Underwood

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

Jake Davis

An Illinois Fighting Illini basketball player who announced his return to the program for the 2025-26 season.

Tomislav Ivisic

An Illinois Fighting Illini basketball player who announced his return to the program for the 2025-26 season.

Zvonimir Ivisic

An Illinois Fighting Illini basketball player who announced his return to the program for the 2025-26 season.

David Mirkovic

An Illinois Fighting Illini basketball player who is considered, along with Stojakovic, to be one of the most integral players in determining the team's success.

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What’s next

Stojakovic will attend the NBA Draft Combine in May to get feedback from scouts and evaluate his professional prospects. He will then have until May 27 to decide whether to remain in the draft or return to Illinois for his junior season.

The takeaway

Andrej Stojakovic's decision will have a significant impact on Illinois' national championship aspirations for the 2026-27 season. The Illini are hopeful he will return to Champaign, as his presence would make them a top contender, but his NBA draft evaluation will be a key factor in his final choice.