CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illini small forward Andrej Stojakovic has entered his name into the NBA Draft pool, while maintaining his eligibility to return to the Illinois men's basketball team for another season.
ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello first reported the news.
NEWS: Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic has entered his name into the NBA draft, sources told ESPN, leaving open the option to return to the Fighting Illini. He was an All-Region selection during Illinois' run to the Final Four.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 26, 2026
The junior is not a projected draft pick in the 2026 selection process, however, will go through the process other draft prospects will take on. Several players are known to use the strategy to evaluate their talent by NBA scouts to establish areas needed for development before the forthcoming season.
Following much anticipation from fans wondering if he would enter the transfer portal, Stojakovic announced he would return to the Illinois program for another season, along with a slew of other standout performers from the past year.
Stojakovic averaged 13.6 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, and 1 assist throughout Illinois' season, where he was named to the All-South Region team in the Illini's run to the Final Four.
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