X

Stanford's Andrej Stojaković Commits to Cal over Kentucky, UNC in Transfer Portal

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVApril 27, 2024

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 14: Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) warms up before the quarterfinal game of the men's Pac-12 Tournament  between the Stanford Cardinal and the Washington State Cougars on March 14, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Guard Andrej Stojaković has committed to play for the California Golden Bears after leaving Stanford via the transfer portal.

According to ESPN's Jeff Borzello, Stojaković said Saturday that he chose Cal over other contenders in Kentucky, North Carolina and Michigan.

As a freshman at Stanford last season, Stojaković averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, and he shot 40.9 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from beyond the arc.

The 19-year-old Stojaković is the son of former NBA star Peja Stojaković, who played 13 seasons in the league with the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks.

Peja averaged 17.0 points per game and shot 40.1 percent from three-point range during his career, plus he was a three-time All-Star, two-time Three-Point Contest winner and one-time NBA champion.

The younger Stojaković was highly touted coming out of high school with 247Sports rating him as a 4-star prospect, and the No. 19 overall player and No. 4 small forward in the Class of 2023.

As a transfer, 247Sports ranked Stojaković as the No. 51 overall player available and the No. 9 player at his position.

Since Kentucky and North Carolina are elite programs that are perennially in the NCAA tournament and competing for national titles, it comes as something of a surprise that Stojaković chose Cal.

The Golden Bears have not reached the NCAA tourney since 2016, and they are coming off a 13-19 record last season.

However, it marked a significant improvement over 2022-23 when California went just 3-29 under Mark Fox.

Last season was Cal's first under head coach Mark Madsen, who spent nine seasons in the NBA and was a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers.

With a player of Stojaković's caliber in the fold, Madsen has a chance to usher in a renaissance of California basketball.