By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After entering the NCAA transfer portal, Andrej Stojakovic committed to play for California. The former guard of Stanford revealed his decision to ESPN on Saturday.
“We had many conversations about a development plan, what me at Cal could look like. Just overall, the consistency with them recruiting me, spending time with myself and my family,” the 19-year-old wing described a recent visit to the Golden Bears’ campus and talks with head coach Mark Madsen.
As a freshman at Stanford, Stojakovic averaged 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.4 steals per contest over 32 appearances, including ten starts. He left the program after head coach Jerod Haase was fired. Beyond the University of California, other offers to the son of former Peja Stojakovic included Kentucky, North Carolina, and Michigan. Impressed by Madsen, he opted to join the basketball program of the Golden Bears.
“He came to the house that same week I entered the portal,” he mentioned on the approach of the 48-year-old tactician, two-time NBA champion as a player, “The stories and experiences he was able to share with my dad the first time meeting, we kind of bonded over each other’s goals. What he wants to accomplish for his team, but his vision for myself. He truly believes in me, the staff truly believes in me. That’s all someone like me could ask for.”
Awaiting another decision, instead regarding his international career, the 2023 McDonald’s All-American is expected to play for Greece or Serbia.