Andrej Stojakovic talks Kentucky offer; other schools sticking out
Andrej Stojakovic is the No. 97 ranked player in the 2023 On3 Consensus. After his stellar play through two April Adidas 3SSB stops, that ranking should rise considerably during the next update.
“Offensively, I am an all-around player, a three-level scorer,” Stojakovic told On3. “I shoot the ball off the dribble, attack the basket. Defensively, I can guard on the perimeter. I am creating my own shot better now, knocking down contested shots. I watch a lot of Devin Booker. We are similar position and height, and I love how he can shoot off the dribble and create his own space.”
The son of NBA great Peja Stojakovic (more on that later) is sure to grab some attention, but his stone-cold play on the floor has college coaches prioritizing him. On3 caught up with Andrej Stojakovic during session two of the Adidas 3SSB circuit to talk about the state of his recruitment.
“Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, USC, Texas, and UConn have all offered me this month,” Stojakovic said. “I’m hearing from Tennessee and UConn regularly. Kentucky offered me last night too. I have not taken any visits yet, but I plan on taking a handful in June and July. I’m close to finishing up a visit date with Stanford for the end of May and the beginning of June. I will look to set a visit with UConn, USC, and Tennessee too, and I hope to get a visit set this summer with Kentucky.”
Stojakovic talks recruitment
Tennessee: “I am a big fan of Kennedy Chandler; I watched them a lot this year just because of Kennedy Chandler. They run a pro offense and play super-fast. They prepare their players for the pros.”
UConn: “Rudy Gay played for the Kings, and I am from Sacramento; watching him and Kemba (Walker) introduced me to UConn. They are traditionally a basketball school, and it’s only an hour away from big cities.”
Southern Cal: “They have expectations to be one of the best in the tournament every year. They are close to home for me; I can just get over there when I am in Los Angeles. They get their guys prepared for the next level, and my family can get to LA from overseas.”
Kentucky: “For a coach like Coach Cal (John Calipari) to notice my game and say what he said about me is surreal. He saw me play on Friday and then called me last night. He talked about how I make the right play and rebound and defend. Sure I can score, but he said he liked the little things I did. I am glad I am even on their radar. It means I am doing something right.”
Stanford: “They have been recruiting me for a while. Their academics are high level, and Coach has been getting guys into the pros.”
Being Peja Stojakovic’s son
“I kind of take my dad being an NBA legend for granted, living with him and seeing him as my dad,” Stojakovic said. “Sometimes it is hard being coached by him because I get to witness both sides but the things he teaches me, the work. The little things, using your legs more, and being tired are only in your mind.
“My dad and I have not played one-on-one in a while, but for the record, I did beat him the last time we played. He can still shoot it, so we do more shooting stuff against one another; that is fun.”
Stojakovic’s take
“I will be looking for a healthy environment to help me grow as a player and a person,” Stojakovic said. “Most of my family is overseas and would love to come to watch me play. I want to go somewhere that would be easy for my family to get to. A good ratio of academics and basketball. My goal is to make the NBA, so I want to look heavily at the school that can best help me get there.”
On3’s take
Andrej Stojakovic has a lot of tools. It all starts with his scoring. He is comfortable with the one and two dribble pull-up and the catch and shoot three. His confidence has grown the most over the last 12 months. He is playing with a swagger about him. The shooting guard will need to continue gaining strength and tightening up everything, the handle, footwork, etc. He is the son of NBA great Peja Stojakovic. He is confident in his ability, he moves well, and he can score the ball at a high clip.