Final Four standout tests the predraft process ahead of May 27 withdrawal deadline
Andrej Stojaković, the Illinois junior forward who helped the Fighting Illini reach their first Final Four since 2005, has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported Friday — though he retains the option to return to Champaign before the May 27 withdrawal deadline.
The declaration marks a reversal from Stojaković’s earlier announcement this month that he planned to return for his senior season. The 21-year-old is not currently projected to be drafted, suggesting his primary goal is to gather feedback from NBA executives and coaches before making a final decision.
A Breakout Season in Champaign
Stojaković put together a strong junior campaign, averaging 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and one assist per game while shooting 50% from the field across 34 appearances, including 21 starts.
He recorded eight 20-point performances on the season. His best came on January 21, when he dropped a season-high 30 points to go with nine rebounds.
In the NCAA Tournament, Stojaković was named to the All-South Region team after scoring 21 points in Illinois’s second-round victory over VCU — a run that ended with the program’s deepest March Madness appearance in over two decades.
NBA Bloodlines, But No Lock to Be Drafted
Stojaković is the son of Peja Stojaković, the three-time NBA All-Star and former Sacramento Kings sharpshooter. Despite the pedigree, analysts do not currently project the younger Stojaković to hear his name called on draft night.
Declaring as an early entrant without an agent preserves his college eligibility, a common strategy for prospects seeking professional evaluations without fully committing to turning pro.
Illinois’s Title Ceiling Depends on His Choice
The Fighting Illini have already secured commitments from key contributors for next season. David Mirković, Tomislav Ivisić and Zvonimir Ivisić have all announced they will return.
If Stojaković withdraws from the draft by May 27 and rejoins that core, Illinois is expected to enter the 2026–27 season as one of the leading national title contenders.