Andrej Stojakovic has confirmed a return to Illinois for the 2026‑27 season, the move confirmed by his agent Drake U’u. The 6‑foot‑7 wing, who averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds last year, will rejoin Brad Underwood’s squad as the second‑leading scorer.

Stojakovic’s comeback follows a Final Four run that saw him score 21 against VCU, 13 against Houston and 17 against Iowa. His ankle injury kept him out of two games, after which he shifted to a sixth‑man role, providing a late‑game scoring spark. With five of the top seven scorers returning, Illinois now carries a strong core.

Adding transfer Stefan Vaaks and recruits Quentin Coleman and Lucas Morillo, the Illini are poised to contend for a preseason No. 1 ranking. The roster’s depth and Stojakovic’s experience will shape the team’s fortunes in a highly competitive Big Ten season.