The Illinois Fighting Illini made a significant impact in the transfer portal when the school secured Cal guard Andrej Stojaković, one of the top scorers in the ACC last season and the son of three-time NBA All-Star Peja Stojaković. Yes, Andrej Stojaković has legitimate NBA bloodlines stemming from his father.
The 6’7″ sophomore’s commitment has successfully hyped fans for the upcoming college basketball season in Champaign, Ill. It has also renewed curiosity about Andrej’s basketball legacy. Keep on reading to find out everything you need to know.
The Family Pedigree of Peja Stojaković’s Son Andrej Stojaković
Unlike some sports surnames that may share the same sound but are not related in any way, the connection between Andrej Stojaković and Peja Stojaković is straightforward: Andrej is indeed Peja’s son. Born in California during Peja’s tenure with the Sacramento Kings, Andrej carries Serbian heritage from his father.
— Andrej Stojaković (@AndrejSto2) April 28, 2025
Peja enjoyed a brilliant career as a sharpshooting forward in the NBA, making three All-Star teams (2002-04) and getting his No. 16 jersey retired in Sacramento. He also won the 2002 and 2003 NBA Three-Point Contest and helped the Kings to a 2002 Western Conference Finals run, eventually winning a championship with Dallas in 2011.
His career average of 17.0 points per game and 40.1% three-point shooting set a high bar, and Andrej is now carving his own path in the family trade.
From Stanford to California to Illinois
Andrej, a former McDonald’s All-American, began his college career at Stanford, where he averaged 7.8 points as a freshman. Seeking a bigger role, he transferred to Cal for the 2024-25 season, exploding for 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
Despite Cal’s 14-19 record, Stojaković showed his potential with a late-season surge that saw him average 29 points per game on 47.1% three-point shooting over the final three contests.
RELATED: How Will Former Cal Guard Andrej Stojakovic Fit With the Illinois Fighting Illini?
His 42.7% field goal percentage and 31.8% from three show that his skills still have room for growth, but his 13.9 shots per game is a hint that he can be very effective in the right offensive lineup.
Andrej was steeped in basketball at a young age, with Peja serving as a hands-on mentor and motivating force. The 47-year-old has often been seen working with Andrej on his shooting form. Unlike his father, Andrej’s 6’7″ frame offers him a lot of versatility and the ability to blend scoring off the dribble with long-range shooting.
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