One of the biggest factors influencing Stojakovic’s commitment was the strong and persistent recruiting efforts by Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. Stojakovic stated that Underwood was aggressive from the start, constantly reminding him how much he was wanted and needed in Champaign. Being told you are “the missing piece” to a national championship-caliber team is a powerful message, and it clearly resonated with Stojakovic.
Another key reason for Stojakovic’s decision lies in Underwood’s history of developing bigger guards and wings into major contributors. At 6-foot-7, Stojakovic fits the mold of the versatile, playmaking scorer who has thrived under Underwood’s system. Seeing players with similar size and skill sets succeed at Illinois likely made it easy for Stojakovic to envision himself fitting in seamlessly.
Illinois sees Stojakovic as someone who can step in right away and elevate the team to a national contender. After averaging 17.9 points and 4.7 rebounds at Cal, and closing the season with a dominant 33.0-point average in two ACC Tournament games, Stojakovic proved he can produce at a high level. Illinois is offering him the platform to showcase his talents even more, and potentially make a deep NCAA Tournament run.
While South Carolina and Stanford offered intriguing opportunities, Illinois’ current trajectory toward competing for a national championship likely played a crucial role. Stojakovic mentioned that the staff views him as the missing piece for a title run. With Illinois consistently near the top of the Big Ten and loading up on talent, the championship window is wide open, something that would be hard for any elite player to pass up.
After two years of moving between Stanford and Cal, Stojakovic is ready for a fresh start in a powerhouse basketball atmosphere. Illinois has one of the most passionate fanbases in college basketball, and playing in the Big Ten brings a level of exposure, competition, and intensity that can help him further his career goals. Compared to the rebuilding efforts at Stanford and South Carolina, Illinois offers a proven winning culture ready to spotlight his talents.
