Illinois’ Andrej Stojakovic Declares for NBA Draft While Keeping College Eligibility

Andrej Stojakovic has declared for the NBA Draft, a decision made after he had publicly announced his return to Illinois. Stojakovic shared a humorous video on social media previously, confirming his intent to stay with the Illini for the upcoming season. This sequence allows him to explore professional opportunities while maintaining the option to return to college.

The NBA Draft process involves several key dates. The NBA Draft Combine, where players showcase their skills for professional scouts, runs from May 10-17. The first round of the NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23, with the second round on June 24. Players like Stojakovic have a deadline of June 13 to withdraw from the draft process if they wish to retain their NCAA eligibility.

This declaration offers Stojakovic valuable direct feedback from NBA teams regarding his current skill set and areas for improvement. In his single season at Illinois, Stojakovic contributed to 28 team wins, matching his total victory count across his two prior seasons at Stanford and Cal. His two-point shooting percentage at Illinois improved by over 10% compared to his previous college stops. Additionally, he recorded a defensive box plus-minus of +2.3, a significant increase from his prior high of +0.6 at Cal, and he increased his offensive rebounds per game.

Such an evaluation process provides clarity on a player’s professional prospects. Observers will monitor Stojakovic’s performance at the NBA Draft Combine and his ultimate decision regarding the June 13 withdrawal deadline.