INDIANAPOLIS — Andrej Stojaković left the court at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday morning following Illinois’ public Final Four practice, greeted by an unexpected multitude of fans dressed in orange.
He reciprocated waves to those leaning over the barrier to welcome the Illini players en route to their locker room, even pausing to autograph a handmade poster declaring him “No. 2 on the court, No. 1 in my heart.”
Frequently, early mentions of Stojaković highlight his lineage as the son of Peja Stojaković, a three-time NBA All-Star.
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His father is often spotted by cameras in the stands during his games. A CBS Sports Final Four social media segment even featured Andrej attempting to guess his dad’s NBA statistics. Their embrace after Illinois triumphed over Iowa in the Elite Eight became widely shared online; Andrej, sporting a reversed Final Four cap, exchanged a high-five, hugged his father, and heard some whispered words, both beaming with wide smiles.
Yet, Andrej Stojaković is endeavoring to establish his own identity separate from his father’s renowned career, having significantly distinguished himself in this NCAA Tournament. Throughout Illinois’ journey to its national semifinal clash with Connecticut on Saturday at 5:09 p.m., the 6-foot-7 junior wing posted averages of 15 points with 59.5% shooting accuracy and three rebounds across the four contests, earning a spot on the All-South Region team.
He achieved this with a fluid, athletic, and attacking style of play, distinct from his father’s game. His dad was a deadly marksman during his 13-year NBA tenure, ranking second all-time in three-pointers for the Sacramento Kings.
Illinois assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Geoff Alexander commented, “I doubt anyone can truly comprehend his situation. It’s an immense standard to meet. Peja was an elite global player and a champion. For Andrej to follow in those footsteps, I believe he’s performed exceptionally well.”
Alexander continued, “He’s very self-assured. He recognizes himself as Andrej Stojaković, distinct from being merely the son of Peja Stojaković. He is actively striving to forge his unique trajectory, his personal niche, his individual identity. It’s truly inspiring to witness.”
During his weekend media appearances to discuss Illinois’ first Final Four appearance since 2005, coach Brad Underwood recounted an anecdote on “The Rich Eisen Show” concerning Peja’s visit to Illinois alongside Andrej, who had joined the team after a freshman year at Stanford and a sophomore year where he was California’s top scorer.
Peja entered Illinois’ gymnasium – without having previously handled a ball – and sank 13 consecutive three-pointers.
“He still possesses an incredible shooting touch,” Alexander remarked. “He can certainly score.”
Andrej acknowledged the inherent pressure of establishing his own career in a sport where his father excelled. However, he noted that this challenge is not novel for him.
“I’ve navigated those expectations and pressures throughout my entire life,” Andrej stated. “Therefore, I haven’t truly internalized any of the recent commentary surrounding the tournament.”
Underwood mentioned multiple times this season that Peja makes an effort to allow Andrej to develop independently, rather than merely as his son. As Illinois received increasing media scrutiny during the tournament, Peja opted not to give interviews, preferring that the spotlight remain on Andrej.
Both of Andrej’s parents have been instrumental in his athletic journey. His mother, Aleka Kamila, means “everything” to him, providing support whenever he grapples with mental challenges related to confidence or the immense pressure he encounters.
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Andrej mentioned that Peja has consistently provided guidance throughout his career, “extending beyond basketball to life in general.” However, he added that his father has avoided interference, attributing this partially to the inherent challenges faced by the family of an NBA player.
“Growing up, I experienced periods of his absence, with him traveling extensively,” Andrej explained. “I’d visit him in various cities on weekends. We share a strong bond where, when I’m occupied, he allows me to navigate experiences independently, without intervening.”
Illinois forward Jake Davis stated that this independence is evident because Andrej is “completely his own player,” though Davis admits it’s been “really cool” to have an NBA legend associated with the team.
“He is driven to improve, learn, and contribute to team victories,” Davis added. “He’s absolutely a team-oriented player for us.”
While Andrej anticipates reconnecting with his parents during the offseason, his immediate focus is on current responsibilities.
Despite facing injuries intermittently this season—a preseason knee problem and a high ankle sprain in February—he has emerged as an indispensable contributor to Illinois’ late-season achievements. Coming off the bench, he ignites the offense with crucial scoring, frequently altering game momentum through his aggressive drives to the basket, having tallied 17 or more points in four of Illinois’ past seven outings. Furthermore, the Illini have counted on him as a versatile performer.
Alexander highlighted his defensive efforts against Iowa’s standout guard Bennett Stirtz during the Elite Eight matchup. Stirtz had a strong start, helping the Hawkeyes build an early advantage, but he managed only 2-for-8 from the field and 1-for-5 from beyond the arc in the second half.
“We adapted our strategy and leveraged Andrej’s reach, his agility, and his capacity to force Stirtz into difficult shot attempts. That was pivotal for our team,” Alexander explained. “It’s not that he lacked that capability previously. He simply understands the significance of those contributions to securing victories now. These are the areas where he’s developed year after year.”
Andrej chose Illinois with aspirations of developing his play and achieving success. He aims to persevere in both endeavors.
He remains uncertain about what awaits him when he steps back into a full Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night to play UConn, particularly concerning the vibe within a football arena. Nevertheless, he trusts his capacity to manage the situation.
“I believe I’ve successfully maintained a consistent level of concentration from the regular season through our NCAA Tournament games so far, preventing the crowd from distracting me, particularly in our two boisterous Houston contests,” he remarked. “Collectively, we’ve excelled at remaining dedicated to the game plan and disregarding external media attention.”
Peja will be in attendance, though Andrej couldn’t confirm if his father will sport the orange and blue, as some have requested on social media. His dad typically favors understated attire devoid of logos, but he does own some Illini apparel.
“Indeed, he owns some,” Andrej stated. “He possesses quite a bit.”
Andrej expressed his understanding that his father’s primary desire is for him to have a fulfilling experience.
“He’s genuinely passionate about basketball, and his sole concern is that I, along with my teammates, derive pleasure from playing,” Andrej commented. “He isn’t focused on our Final Four appearance. That’s not the point. It’s about the culmination of our dedication finally yielding results, and our collective passion for the sport shining through.”