Andrej Stojakovic has officially withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft, announcing via Instagram Story that he will return to Illinois for the 2026–27 college season.
The decision removes one of the more experienced wing prospects from the draft pool and shifts attention back to his development in the Big Ten.
Stojakovic’s college path has already included stops at Stanford and Cal before his time at Illinois. Across those seasons, his role and efficiency have evolved, with his strongest statistical production coming at Cal during the 2024–25 campaign.
In that season, he averaged 17.9 points per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. He also showed secondary creation ability, posting 1.8 assists per game while handling a high-volume scoring role.
His 2025–26 season at Illinois showed a different profile, with reduced scoring output at 13.5 points per game but improved efficiency at 50% from the field. His role shifted into a more balanced offensive structure within the team system.
The return to college also reshapes the early outlook for the 2026 NBA Draft wing class. The lottery order already places the Washington Wizards at No. 1, followed by the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls in the top four, with several teams in that range expected to target perimeter scoring and versatile wings.
Prospects such as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson remain central to the top-of-the-board discussion. Stojakovic’s withdrawal narrows the group of experienced collegiate wings available in the mid-first-round range.
For Illinois, his return provides continuity in the backcourt rotation and adds a proven scoring option ahead of the 2026–27 season. His career averages of 12.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists reflect a steady two-way profile that can expand with another year of development.
