November 2, 2026 | Men's Basketball
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Monday that three Fighting Illini players – fifth-year center Tomislav Ivisic, sophomore forward David Mirkovic and senior guard Andrej Stojakovic – have been named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Watch List.
Ivisic averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds last season for the Illini. He ranked ninth in the country in 2-point field goal shooting at 73% (81-111), while also draining 50 three-pointers and shooting nearly 78% from the free throw line. Ivisic was at his best during the NCAA Tournament, scoring in double figures in four of the five games during Illinois' run to the Final Four while averaging 12.8 points and 6.4 boards.
Mirkovic ranked third on the Illini in scoring and second in both rebounding and assists last season, averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists while totaling nine double-doubles. Mirkovic was named to the NCAA All-Region Team as Illinois won the South Regional Championship to advance to the 2026 Final Four. He also was voted to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and received NABC All-Great Lakes District Second Team and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition.
Stojakovic was the team's second-leading scorer in his first year as an Illini last season, averaging 13.5 points on 50% shooting (168-336). He scored in double figures 19 times with eight 20-point games, led by a season-high 30 points vs. Maryland (Jan. 21, 2026). Stojakovic also averaged 4.5 rebounds and made better than 80% from the free throw line (103-128). Stojakovic excelled during Illinois' run to the Final Four, averaging 13.8 points on 55.3% shooting over five NCAA Tournament games and earning a spot on the NCAA All-South Regional Team.
