Andrej Stojaković has now entered his name into the upcoming NBA Draft while still maintaining the option to come back to Illinois, according to Jeff Borzello at ESPN. The news comes less than two weeks after Stojaković posted a video on Instagram announcing his return to Illinois for his senior season. Stojaković joins Keaton Wagler as the second Illini so far to declare for the NBA Draft.
As of right now, Stojaković isn’t a projected pick in the NBA mock drafts. The junior is more than likely just testing out the NBA waters over the upcoming months before his senior year since he isn’t on NBA radars right now. The decision to declare won’t hurt Stojaković, as he will only learn where he will be able to improve before the 2027 NBA Draft.
In his sole season at Illinois, Stojaković averaged 13.5 points per game on 50% shooting from the field and 4.5 rebounds per game. By the end of the season, the junior solidified himself as a player who can impact the game on both the offensive and defensive sides with his size and athleticism. Stojaković’s skillset as an explosive driver and finisher also gave Illinois a different look offensively on a roster loaded with 3-point shooters.
If Stojaković continues on the NBA path and doesn’t return to Illinois, it will not only lose a high impact leading scorer, but also a player who could be a veteran leader next season. Other veteran returners such as freshman forward David Mirković, junior centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić and junior wing Jake Davis still remain on the roster.
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