By IlliniGuys Staff

April 17, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - In one of the most important offseason development for the Illinois men's basketball program, high-scoring wing Andrej Stojakovic has decided to return to the team next season.

ESPN's Jeff Borzello first reported the news.

The 6-foot-7 wing played a major role in the Illini's first Final Four trip in 21 years, finishing second in scoring behind All-American Keaton Wagler with 13. 5 points per game and providing an offensive punch during Illinois' run in March. He openly admitted after the Final Four loss to UConn about how much he had learned this past season and how much he enjoyed his first foray into the postseason during his collegiate career.

Stojakovic joined the program last summer after playing one season each for Stanford and Cal. The son of former NBA champion and three-point specialist Peja Stojakovic, he battled through an ankle injury during the preseason that forced him to miss the season opening win over Jackson State.

The former McDonald's All-American showed what he can do in his second game in an Illini uniform, coming off the bench to score 23 points in a win over then-14th ranked Texas Tech on November 11th.

That would be the first of 19 double-digit scoring nights for Stojakovic and one of eight games of 20 points or more, topped by a 30-point effort against Maryland on January 21st.

But another ankle injury forced him to miss and prompted a change by Illini head coach Brad Underwood, opting to bring him off the bench the rest of the season. Stojakovic responded, averaging 13.8 points per game during the NCAA tournament and delivering an improved defensive effort. His effort against Iowa sharpshooter Bennett Stirtz was credited as a key factor in Illinois' Elite Eight victory over the Hawkeyes and helped land Stojakovic on the All-South Region team last month.

Stojakovic's skill as a slashing scorer - he enters his senior season having poured in 1,229 points in his career - and improving perimeter defender will play into the Illini's chase at another deep NCAA tournament run and will make him a preseason candidate for All-Big Ten honors.