Andrej Stojaković, the talented scoring forward from Cal, has officially committed to Illinois for the 2025-26 season, marking a significant addition to the Illini roster. His transfer is expected to bring a new level of offensive firepower to Illinois, as he joins a program eager to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
### A Rising Star in College Basketball
Stojaković, the son of former NBA sharpshooter Peja Stojaković, has steadily built his reputation as one of the most versatile scorers in college basketball. During the 2024-25 season at Cal, he averaged **17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game**, making him one of only three Division I players to achieve such stats [A](https://illiniguys.com/news-former-cal-scoring-forward-andrej-stojakovic-commits-to-illini-for-2025-26-season/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvaWxsaW5pZ3V5cy5jb21cL25ld3MtZm9ybWVyLWNhbC1zY29yaW5nLWZvcndhcmQtYW5kcmVqLXN0b2pha292aWMtY29tbWl0cy10by1pbGxpbmktZm9yLTIwMjUtMjYtc2Vhc29uXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to score from multiple areas on the court, combined with his size and athleticism, made him a highly sought-after player in the transfer portal.
### The Transfer Decision
Stojaković’s move to Illinois was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Reports indicate that he entered the transfer portal with a “Do Not Contact” tag, suggesting that he and his representatives had already lined up his next destination [A](https://illiniguys.com/news-former-cal-scoring-forward-andrej-stojakovic-commits-to-illini-for-2025-26-season/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvaWxsaW5pZ3V5cy5jb21cL25ld3MtZm9ybWVyLWNhbC1zY29yaW5nLWZvcndhcmQtYW5kcmVqLXN0b2pha292aWMtY29tbWl0cy10by1pbGxpbmktZm9yLTIwMjUtMjYtc2Vhc29uXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Illinois head coach Brad Underwood had been aggressively recruiting him, emphasizing how much the team needed his scoring ability and versatility, including North Carolina and Stanford [B](https://www.si.com/college/cal/basketball/ex-cal-star-andrej-stojakovic-makes-his-choice-illinois-01jsyzkdmjhx?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvY2FsXC9iYXNrZXRiYWxsXC9leC1jYWwtc3Rhci1hbmRyZWotc3RvamFrb3ZpYy1tYWtlcy1oaXMtY2hvaWNlLWlsbGlub2lzLTAxanN5emtkbWpoeCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [B](https://www.si.com/college/cal/basketball/ex-cal-star-andrej-stojakovic-makes-his-choice-illinois-01jsyzkdmjhx?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvY2FsXC9iYXNrZXRiYWxsXC9leC1jYWwtc3Rhci1hbmRyZWotc3RvamFrb3ZpYy1tYWtlcy1oaXMtY2hvaWNlLWlsbGlub2lzLTAxanN5emtkbWpoeCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Ultimately, Stojaković chose Illinois over other top programs.
### What He Brings to Illinois
Illinois has been searching for a forward with size and shooting ability, and Stojaković fits the bill perfectly [A](https://illiniguys.com/news-former-cal-scoring-forward-andrej-stojakovic-commits-to-illini-for-2025-26-season/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvaWxsaW5pZ3V5cy5jb21cL25ld3MtZm9ybWVyLWNhbC1zY29yaW5nLWZvcndhcmQtYW5kcmVqLXN0b2pha292aWMtY29tbWl0cy10by1pbGxpbmktZm9yLTIwMjUtMjYtc2Vhc29uXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting, attack the rim, and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset. His scoring prowess was on full display in the ACC Tournament, where he averaged **33 points per game on 57.1% shooting**, including a career-high **37 points in a second-round loss to Stanford** [A](https://illiniguys.com/news-former-cal-scoring-forward-andrej-stojakovic-commits-to-illini-for-2025-26-season/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvaWxsaW5pZ3V5cy5jb21cL25ld3MtZm9ybWVyLWNhbC1zY29yaW5nLWZvcndhcmQtYW5kcmVqLXN0b2pha292aWMtY29tbWl0cy10by1pbGxpbmktZm9yLTIwMjUtMjYtc2Vhc29uXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Beyond his individual talent, Stojaković’s presence will elevate Illinois’ offensive system. He joins a team that already has strong passers and playmakers, which should allow him to thrive in an off-ball role while still being a primary scoring option [C](https://www.si.com/college/illinois/basketball/andrej-stojakovic-commits-illini-transfer-analysis?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvaWxsaW5vaXNcL2Jhc2tldGJhbGxcL2FuZHJlai1zdG9qYWtvdmljLWNvbW1pdHMtaWxsaW5pLXRyYW5zZmVyLWFuYWx5c2lzIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to draw defensive attention will also create opportunities for his teammates, making Illinois a more dynamic offensive unit.
### Looking Ahead
As Stojaković transitions to Illinois, expectations will be high for him to make an immediate impact. The Illini are aiming to contend for a national championship, and his addition strengthens their chances [B](https://www.si.com/college/cal/basketball/ex-cal-star-andrej-stojakovic-makes-his-choice-illinois-01jsyzkdmjhx?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZFdiWUxWUkFTNXFzclo2Y2VGck1zIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvY2FsXC9iYXNrZXRiYWxsXC9leC1jYWwtc3Rhci1hbmRyZWotc3RvamFrb3ZpYy1tYWtlcy1oaXMtY2hvaWNlLWlsbGlub2lzLTAxanN5emtkbWpoeCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to perform under pressure, as demonstrated in his standout performances at Cal, suggests that he will be a key player for Illinois in the upcoming season.
Illinois fans can look forward to exciting moments from Stojaković, as he brings his scoring ability and competitive spirit to the Big Ten. His arrival is not just a transfer—it’s a statement that Illinois is committed to building a championship-caliber team. As the 2025-26 season approaches, all eyes will be on Stojaković to see how he helps shape the future of Illinois basketball.
