The NCAA tournament is always a stage where basketball legacies shine, and Andrej Stojaković is certainly making his mark. The Illinois guard showcased his skills with a standout performance in the Fighting Illini's commanding 76-55 victory over VCU, dropping 21 points in just 26 minutes off the bench. This game highlighted the depth of Illinois' roster and Stojaković's potential impact as they advance.
Basketball fans might recognize the Stojaković name, and for good reason. Andrej is the son of former NBA star Peja Stojaković, but he's carving out his own path on the court.
Who is Andrej Stojaković?
A junior at Illinois, Andrej has quite the journey, having played for three different college teams in as many years. He started at Stanford in the 2023-24 season, moved to Cal the following year, and then transferred to Illinois.
Each stop has seen him as a crucial offensive contributor, notably averaging 17.9 points per game at Cal. While his stats have dipped slightly this season due to Illinois' balanced attack, he's now experiencing the NCAA tournament for the first time.
Reflecting on his decision to join Illinois, Stojaković mentioned, "Coach [Brad] Underwood has been very aggressive in recruiting me, always emphasizing how much I'm wanted and needed. They believe I'm the missing piece for a championship run."
Born to a Serbian and Greek heritage, Andrej grew up in California while his father played in the NBA.
Is Andrej Stojaković related to Peja Stojaković?
Indeed, Andrej is Peja's eldest son. Growing up in the U.S. during Peja's NBA career, Andrej attended Jesuit High School in Sacramento, where his father spent a significant portion of his career with the Kings.
Andrej Stojaković's College Stats
- 2023-24 (Stanford): 32 games, 22.3 MPG, 7.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 0.9 APG, 40.9% FG, 32.7% 3P, 52.8% FT
- 2024-25 (Cal): 29 games, 33.4 MPG, 17.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 42.7% FG, 31.8% 3P, 81.8% FT
- 2025-26 (Illinois): 30 games, 26.2 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 48.8% FG, 24.7% 3P, 82.6% FT
Andrej Stojaković's Age
At 21, Andrej is in his junior year and continues to adapt and excel across different programs. With his prior experiences at Stanford and Cal, he's now poised to make a significant impact with Illinois during this exciting tournament run.
As March Madness unfolds, keep an eye on Andrej Stojaković - he's not just living up to his family name; he's building his own legacy.