Exciting news for Illinois Fighting Illini fans! The team has secured a major commitment from Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic, a 6-foot-7 wing of Serbian/Greek descent, who announced his decision to join the Illini, as reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony on X. Stojakovic, one of the top talents in the transfer portal, brings elite scoring and positional size to Champaign, with Illinois head coach Brad Underwood eyeing him as the missing piece for a national championship run.
Stojakovic, who averaged 17.9 points per game as a sophomore in the ACC last season, showcased his potential with a career-high 37 points against Stanford, including 13-22 field goals and 4-7 from three-point range. His addition addresses Illinois’ need for a late-game go-to scorer, complementing players like Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic. Despite a 31.8% three-point shooting percentage at Cal, Stojakovic’s overall skill set and versatility make him a perfect fit for Underwood’s system, which has been steadily shaping up after losing key pieces like Morez Johnson Jr. to the transfer portal.
Balkan Illini?
What’s particularly intriguing about this move is Illinois’ emerging identity as a Balkan powerhouse. Stojakovic, proudly displaying his Serbian heritage (as seen with the Serbian flag in the announcement graphic), joins a roster that already includes players with Balkan roots, such as Tomislav Ivisic, who hails from Croatia. This recruitment trend highlights Illinois’ strategy of tapping into the rich basketball talent pool of the Balkans, a region known for producing NBA stars like Nikola Jokić and Vlade Divac. With Stojakovic’s commitment, the Illini are not only building a competitive team but also creating a cultural synergy that could resonate deeply with fans and players alike.
Illinois, a program with a storied history—including a retroactive national championship in 1915, a 2005 NCAA runner-up finish, and multiple Big Ten titles—now looks poised to make a serious statement in the 2025-26 season. Stojakovic chose Illinois over other top programs like North Carolina and Stanford, signaling the Illini’s growing appeal under Underwood’s leadership. As the team continues to blend domestic and international talent, the “Balkan Illini” could become a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
