The Illinois Fighting Illini got a big piece to their success back on Wednesday, May 27.
Andrej Stojakovic announced he has withdrawn from the upcoming NBA Draft and will return to the Illini for the 2026-27 season.
“I’m looking forward to participating in another Final Four, hopefully,” he said in published reports from the NBA Draft Combine.
The move was made on Wednesday, the NCAA deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. Stojakovic is a senior.
The 6-foot-7 wing delivered 13.5 points per game and 4.5 rebounds for Illinois’ Final Four team. His offseason path has been a bit uneven. He initially announced on April 17 he was returning to Illinois. Then he entered the NBA Draft. He was in the combine in Chicago. Now he’s out of the draft and headed back to Champaign.
His presence on the roster gives Illinois five of its eight top scorers from 2025-26. Stojakovic shot 58.3% from two-point range and was over 80% from the free throw line.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois Fighting Illini basketball gets big boost as star opts to return
Reporting by Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
