Andrej Stojakovic will return to Illinois for 2026-27 after considering NBA Draft

After weeks of uncertainty regarding his future, Andrej Stojakovic has decided to withdraw from this year’s NBA Draft to return to Illinois, giving coach Brad Underwood a major piece from last season’s roster that made it to the Final Four.

Stojakovic participated in the draft combine in Chicago and was widely projected as a second-round pick.

The 21-year-old guard averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in his first year with the Fighting Illini. He struggled with his outside touch, shooting just 24.4% from three-point distance.

ANDREJ STOJAKOVIC IS BACK

Illinois retains another key piece for 2026-27 pic.twitter.com/B4ViuBALyV

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 27, 2026

The son of Peja Stojakovic, a three-time NBA All-Star, he had one-year stints at Stanford and California before transferring to Illinois.

Stojakovic had previously announced his plan to return to Illinois while still testing the draft process, a move that has become increasingly common amid the much-debated eligibility rules. He already had a pre-draft workout with the Boston Celtics and the Memphis Grizzlies, according to a report from USA Today’s Cody Taylor.

Following his decision, the 6-foot-7 scorer likely felt another season with the Fighting Illini could improve his long-term draft stock, especially if they make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Stojakovic was named to the South Regional All-Tournament Team, along with teammates Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic. They lost to Connecticut in the Final Four.

Wagler is widely viewed as a top-10 pick in next month’s NBA Draft, while Mirkovic has also withdrawn his name to return to Illinois.

Stojakovic and Mirkovic are expected to carry the core that helped produce the program’s most successful run in the NCAA Tournament in more than two decades.

The post Andrej Stojakovic will return to Illinois for 2026-27 after considering NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.