Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1,451      
Second place is 1st loser
The NBA is an incredibly difficult league to flourish in. Look at how many prospects never make it in the NBA. Terrence Shannon can’t even get meaningful tick and he’s twice the player Andrej is, and I’m not trying to knock how good andrej is, it’s just the truth. Andrej can’t shoot, you have to be an at least respectable shooter to make it. I still think Shannon can be good in the NBA, fwiw.
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I love Drej and I love that he's dreaming big. All kids should strive to make their dreams happen. That said, his NCAA Tournament will not be the only tape that teams look at. He's got a LOT of holes in his game(by NBA standards). He has to improve his shooting and decision making, not just a little, bit a lot. Especially his shooting. His dad is a sharp guy and a NBA vet. I'd be stunned if he stayed in the draft unless a team like Sacramento guarantees Peja that they'll draft him a kid.
 
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#1,453      
RichardKeenesCousin
madillini4 said:
The NBA is an incredibly difficult league to flourish in. Look at how many prospects never make it in the NBA. Terrence Shannon can’t even get meaningful tick and he’s twice the player Andrej is, and I’m not trying to knock how good andrej is, it’s just the truth. Andrej can’t shoot, you have to be an at least respectable shooter to make it. I still think Shannon can be good in the NBA, fwiw.
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Who is better Bronny James or Andrej Stojakvic?
 
#1,454      
lstewart53x3
FI_8905 said:
There is a lot of money, but...still haven't given up on retaining Wagler. And they obviously want to bring back Tomi, Z, and Mirk and add more from the portal.

I don't think Stojakvic's NBA feedback will be all that great, so we shall see.
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In theory, if the NBA feedback is overly negative / pessimistic towards his chances of being an NBA player, that could hurt our retention efforts.

If he doesn’t feel like the NBA would be a realistic option for him, that could drive him towards securing the largest bag possible while still in college.
 
#1,455      
Scoregasm
the juiceman cometh said:
Will we wait?

I don't think he ends up getting in the first round, and probably wouldn't be drafted at all, but I get why he'd give it a shot. You have to have confidence to play at this level, and they obviously know of examples of guys like Cedric Coward who almost exactly a year ago ESPN's mock draft had near the end of the 2nd round (https://www.on3.com/pro/news/2025-n...ck-after-national-championship-march-madness/), then over the course of the draft process saw his stock rise like crazy and ended up as the #11 pick. Again, don't think that happens to Stoj, but it doesn't matter what I think, it matters what he thinks, and like I said these guys have to believe in themselves to do what they do.
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He could reserve his spot now with us and still pursue the NBA. If he keeps his options open I'd assume we may have to move on.
 
#1,457      
WxIllini
FI_8905 said:
Stojakovic wants to make the jump to the NBA. Illinois is combing the portal for potential replacements at the 3.

The money is tricky for Illinois. Not sure they would match what they gave Andrej this year.

Not a done deal.
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If we don’t come back with the same offer as last year, have to assume he’s gone? Or do you think it’s possible he will take a slight pay cut to make another run at the natty with a similar group? (If they can retain Mirk, the Twins, Davis, etc.)
 
#1,461      
Altuve27
the juiceman cometh said:
Will we wait?

I don't think he ends up getting in the first round, and probably wouldn't be drafted at all, but I get why he'd give it a shot. You have to have confidence to play at this level, and they obviously know of examples of guys like Cedric Coward who almost exactly a year ago ESPN's mock draft had near the end of the 2nd round (https://www.on3.com/pro/news/2025-n...ck-after-national-championship-march-madness/), then over the course of the draft process saw his stock rise like crazy and ended up as the #11 pick. Again, don't think that happens to Stoj, but it doesn't matter what I think, it matters what he thinks, and like I said these guys have to believe in themselves to do what they do.
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It depends what Andrej is doing. If he’s putting his name in to get feedback, that process is quick.

If he’s genuinely looking to make the jump and is going through the combine, workouts for teams, etc. then, in my opinion, you’d have to move on. The full process takes much longer and you can’t afford to wait.

To put it in simpler terms, is he just looking for feedback, or is he looking to bolt NO MATTER what the feedback says?
 
#1,462      
WeLoveNoOther
One other thing Keaton might be factoring in is the number of games played in college vs nba. Yes, I get all the money arguments....but hear me out.

In college, Keaton could play half as many games in a shorter season and for someone as young as him the extra year of physical development without the constant wear and tear of an nba season might actually be beneficial to him. He gets a year to beef up, improve his shooting, makes a huge bag anyway, and gets to be BMOC on a national level.

I mean heck, if the Boozer brothers can get paid by State Farm, why couldn't Keaton cash in on a big endorsement deal while still playing in college?

I still think he goes pro, but there are at least some legit angles for leaving the door open a crack. JMO.
 
#1,465      
zentrails
Illinidrew said:
I'm sure Andre wants to be paid well, but with who his dad is does he really need to chase the biggest bag? Seems like he would chase the best development and winning more, but what do I know.
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Not sure I understand the idea that Drei's Dad would give him money, so he doesn't need any of his own? I sure didn't get anything from mine until the will was read.
 
#1,470      
Keisersose
We aren’t sure we can offer Andres what he got last year? Like we think he’d need to take a reduction to stay here?
 
#1,473      
Emerson Bigguns
illini0440 said:
Tomi, Z, Mirk.....sorting out money as we speak.

I think 1 or 2 will go through draft process though.
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Is there a love button? It all starts with the Balkan connection. Secure those guys, and we are the belle of the ball.
Who has a better returning front court?
If I were a guy like Blackwell, I'd want to see that happen before signing on the line.
 
#1,475      
Det_Illini_fan
WeLoveNoOther said:
One other thing Keaton might be factoring in is the number of games played in college vs nba. Yes, I get all the money arguments....but hear me out.

In college, Keaton could play half as many games in a shorter season and for someone as young as him the extra year of physical development without the constant wear and tear of an nba season might actually be beneficial to him. He gets a year to beef up, improve his shooting, makes a huge bag anyway, and gets to be BMOC on a national level.

I mean heck, if the Boozer brothers can get paid by State Farm, why couldn't Keaton cash in on a big endorsement deal while still playing in college?

I still think he goes pro, but there are at least some legit angles for leaving the door open a crack. JMO.
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I kinda would hope he doesn't do a big brand deal like the Boozer brothers or some of the other players in the past who did (Flagg, etc.), because that doesn't feel like his "brand." Him staying locked in while playing even while playing well, not showing emotion, and just having poise struck me as a kid that doesn't want flash but let his ball skill speak for itself. Could be unpopular opinion, but kind of loved Keaton not being too flashy and just being a hardworking non-show-boaty kid.
 
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