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Transfer portal has come up clutch in the Illinois basketball Final Four run

Brad Underwood built the Illinois basketball team through different avenues, but the transfer portal additions in the offseason have come up huge for the program
ByKellen Sherman|
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Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) and guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) and forward Ben Humrichous (3) and guard Keaton Wagler (23) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) and guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) and forward Ben Humrichous (3) and guard Keaton Wagler (23) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The transfer portal has been fruitful for the Illinois basketball program this season, and it's paying off in a big way this postseason.

Andrej Stojakovic, a former California Golden Bear, has become a pivotal sixth-man off the bench for the Illini. The son of NBA sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic is carving a great path for himself in his third year as a collegiate athlete and is now securely in the national spotlight because of his stellar play.

The explosive forward has shown a unique display of strength and intensity this postseason. He has become the perfect change-of-pace wing for Illinois, with an uncanny ability to rush the rim at a moment's notice.

Stojakovic, in four NCAA tournament games with Illinois, is averaging 15 points and three rebounds in just 25.3 minutes per game. He has helped to change the speed and trajectory of every contest that he has played in, especially after Iowa's 12-2 run to start Saturday night's game.

This young man has been the most efficient player for Brad Underwood these past four games, shooting an astounding 59.5% from the field, highlighted by his 21-point outing against No. 11 VCU in the Round of 32.

Illinois basketball will certainly need Andrej Stojakovic against juggernaut UConn in the Final Four

The Illini are about to meet their biggest test of the NCAA tournament in Indianapolis this Saturday, as they are destined to take on the UConn Huskies in a rematch from last November. They will need to be on their A-game against Dan Hurley and Co., which will include the continued efficiency of Stojakovic.

The Huskies, led by center Tarris Reed Jr. and forward Alex Karaban, could pose a problem for Illinois' interior offense. UConn has an experienced unit that is talented across the board, to the point where Illinois can't turn into a one-dimensional squad.

It will be an interesting bout in Illinois' first Final Four appearance since 2005, and they will need all hands on deck. But with the scoring options that they have at their disposal, this team has the ability to be lethal at all three levels on the floor.

Don't be surprised if guys like Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic continue to spread the floor, which will allow Stojakovic to drive the ball like normal. It will be interesting to see how Underwood game plans around the Huskies, but I'm sure Stojakovic will continue his stellar run at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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