Latest news with #Stojakovic
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Peja Stojakovic on honest reason Lakers defeated Kings in 2002 WCF
Peja Stojakovic on honest reason Lakers defeated Kings in 2002 WCF Perhaps the most classic series that the Shaquille O'Neal-Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers ever played was the 2002 Western Conference finals. In that series, they went up against a very talented Sacramento Kings team that had spent the past few years building a squad that could topple them at the most important time of year. The Kings weren't just talented — they were ahead of their time. They were one of the first NBA teams to play modern-day "pace and space" basketball at a time when the league was hopelessly infected with stagnant, slowdown basketball. The 2002 West finals went back and forth, and in the end, the Lakers prevailed in Game 7 in overtime by six points. To this day, the Sacramento area still hasn't gotten over that loss, and of course, they still blame the referees who officiated Game 6 at Staples Center for allegedly manipulating the results in L.A.'s favor. But Peja Stojakovic, the sharpshooting starting small forward on that Sacramento team, has a simpler explanation for why his team lost. He said it was Sacramento's own fault it fell short in that series. Via Basketball Network: "In 2002, we definitely had our chances," he said. "We even had Game 7 at home. But if we're being honest and fair as athletes, we missed a lot of shots, a lot of free throws. We didn't secure defensive rebounds when we needed to… So without going too deep into anything else — because sports always have those moments we look back on, like Game 6 — those moments leave a mark on our careers. But I truly believe that, as a team, we played better basketball the following year. We were more complete and more mature." In that seventh game, the Kings shot an embarrassing 16-of-30 from the free throw line. Stojakovic, who was arguably the NBA's best pure shooter back then, went just 3-of-12 from the field, and with time running down in the fourth quarter, he choked. With under 15 seconds to go and Los Angeles leading by one point, Hedo Türkoğlu fed a wide-open Stojakovic in the corner. The latter released a 3-pointer, but it hit nothing but air and went straight into O'Neal's arms. Referee conspiracy or no referee conspiracy, the Kings only have themselves to blame for losing that game and not winning the NBA championship.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Talented UNC transfer portal target chooses Big 10 powerhouse
Talented UNC transfer portal target chooses Big 10 powerhouse UNC will be just fine without this talented shooting guard. After largely striking out in the 2024 offseason transfer portal, Hubert Davis is making sure the North Carolina Tar Heels load up with portal talent for their upcoming season. UNC already has five incoming transfers: projected starting center Henri Veesaar (Arizona), projected starting point guard Kyan Evans (Colorado State), Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson (Alabama), plus shooting guards Jonathan Powell (West Virginia) and Jaydon Young (Virginia Tech). Each and every one of the previously-mentioned guys are crucial to success for North Carolina, which lost several players this offseason. The Tar Heels still have a need at small forward, with 2024-2025 starter Drake Powell recently declaring for the NBA Draft. UNC targeted Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic in the portal, but that pursuit stops immediately. On Monday, April 28, Stojakovic committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini. Andrej, the son of NBA legend Peja Stojakovic, chose Illinois over North Carolina and a possible return to Stanford. "I think the main reasons were pretty clear to my inner circle as a basketball fit," Stojakovic told ESPN. "Coach [Brad] Underwood has been very aggressive recruiting me from the start and constantly reiterating how much I'm wanted and needed as a basketball player there. They really believe I'm the missing piece to what they think is a national championship team." While Stojakovic would bring a much-needed perimeter shooting threat to Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels have several additional options at small forward on their roster. My first thought for a small forward starter is the 6'10" Stevenson, who played primarily at power forward for the Crimson Tide last season, but spends a lot of time on the perimeter. Powell is also maintaining his college eligibility, so his potential return would be a huge roster boost for UNC. The deadline for players to enter the portal recently closed, but North Carolina can still land commitments from guys still in the portal. Regardless of what happens, Stojakovic's decision doesn't hurt the Tar Heels a ton. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic commits to Illinois
Former Cal guard Andrej Stojakovic committed to Illinois on Monday. Stojakovic, the son of former Sacramento Kings All-Star Peja Stojakovic, made the announcement in a post to X. He chose the Illini over North Carolina and Stanford. 'They really believe I'm the missing piece to what they think is a national championship team,' he told ESPN. Stojakovic spent his freshman year at Stanford before transferring to Bay Area rival Cal for 2024-25. A former five-star high school recruit, Stojakovic's numbers rose sharply with the Golden Bears, as he averaged 17.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 29 games (28 starts). He was named to the All-ACC Tournament team. In 61 games (38 starts) between Stanford and Cal, the 6-foot-7 guard has career averages of 12.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. Previous suitors included Texas, UCLA and Oregon. Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andrej Stojakovic announces transfer to Illinois after playing last season for Cal
Andrej Stojakovic averaged 17.9 points per game as a sophomore guard with California last season. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) After playing the first two years of his college basketball career in the state of California, Andrej Stojakovic is taking his game to the Midwest. Stojakovic, the son of former NBA star Peja Stojakovic, announced on social media that he's transferring to Illinois. He'll have two years of eligibility with the Fighting Illini. Advertisement The 6-foot-5 guard will play for his third school in three seasons. Stojakovic played last season with California, for whom he averaged 17.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He shot 32% on 129 3-point attempts. In 2023-24, he played for Stanford, averaging 7.8 points per game as a freshman. Returning to Stanford was under consideration for Stojakovic, who was also looking at North Carolina as a possible destination. At Illinois, he'll become the team's leading scorer, based on last season's numbers. Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis led the Illini last season with 15 points per game, but is moving on after declaring for the NBA Draft. The Illini finished 22-13 overall last season, finishing seventh at 12-8 in the Big Ten. Coach Brad Underwood's squad qualified for the NCAA tournament as a No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region and defeated Xavier before falling to Kentucky in the second round. "Coach Underwood has been very aggressive recruiting me from the start and constantly reiterating how much I'm wanted and needed as a basketball player there," Stojakovic told ESPN. "They really believe I'm the missing piece to what they think is a national championship team." Advertisement Additionally, Stojakovic cited Underwood's record of developing guards at Illinois, allowing players including Ayo Dosunmu, T.J. Shannon and Jakucionis to both handle the ball up the court and play off the ball as shooters. International players will comprise a large part of Illinois' roster next season with Stojakovic joining Mihailo Petrovic and David Mirkovic from Serbia and Croatian brothers Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivisic from Croatia.
Reuters
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic commits to Illinois
April 28 - Former Cal guard Andrej Stojakovic committed to Illinois on Monday. Stojakovic, the son of former Sacramento Kings All-Star Peja Stojakovic, made the announcement in a post to X. He chose the Illini over North Carolina and Stanford. "They really believe I'm the missing piece to what they think is a national championship team," he told ESPN. Stojakovic spent his freshman year at Stanford before transferring to Bay Area rival Cal for 2024-25. A former five-star high school recruit, Stojakovic's numbers rose sharply with the Golden Bears, as he averaged 17.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 29 games (28 starts). He was named to the All-ACC Tournament team. In 61 games (38 starts) between Stanford and Cal, the 6-foot-7 guard has career averages of 12.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. Previous suitors included Texas, UCLA and Oregon.
