Cal head coach Mark Madsen and staff continue to pound the portal transfer trail, picking up their seventh portal addition today with the commitment of former Stanford frosh guard Andrej Stojakovic.

"I think just the consistency the whole staff showed throughout their whole recruiting process was big for me," Stojakovic said. "I think from the moment I entered the portal, they came to the house that same week for an in-home visit and it has just been all basketball talk. No small talk like it was just a good time. It was the first time I've met the staff. It was the first time I and my dad had met the staff. So I think we kind of hit it off from the very jump."

Head coach Mark Madsen and staff’s approach with their newest commit made a big impact from the start of his recruitment made a strong impact on the future Bear.

"I think just allowing me to play freely being one of the key guys on the team was important," Stojakovic said. "Obviously they weren't as successful as they hoped last year but I think this year, they're ready to make a huge jump in the ACC, just using me in a variety of different ways and I'm just looking forward to competing with them."

As for what he brings to the table as a player at Cal:

"I think offensively, just the versatility, just being able to score and create plays for others," Stojakovic said. "I know I can become a really good playmaker and initiate, not just for myself, but for my teammates, and then obviously, working towards being versatile defender guarding multiple positions and being able to switch and play fast."

The 6-7/190 came to Stanford in 2023 with plenty of accolades, including being named to the prestigious McDonald’s All-American team out of Jesuit High School in Carmichael. The son of former NBA star Peja Stojakovic boasted offers from UConn, Duke, Florida, Oregon, USC and more before settling on the Cardinal.

Being the son of an NBA legend in former 14-year forward Peja Stojakovic broadened the future Bears’ outlook on the game and opened him to a world far beyond that of a developing young player.

"I think there's pros and cons to it," Stojakovic noted. "There's obviously pressure but at the same time, having someone like that close to you and the connections that he has in terms of past teammates and stuff is great. In terms of advice, it's second to none. I'm very thankful for the people I've gotten to meet through my dad and the advice they've given me on how to how to get better at the game I love to play."

Another one of the pros that comes with being a part of a high-profile basketball family is having a father who knows what to look for in a prospective program, particularly when bluebloods like Kentucky and North Carolina come calling.

"I think just the fact that Madsen's an NBA guy and the way he used Jaylen Tyson was very intriguing," Stojakovic said. "And I think that really spoke to my dad, that it would allow me to play in scenarios where my game would translate the next level."

As a frosh, the former 5 star #18 recruit (247) in the nation averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds a game, earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in December while finishing sixth in scoring among the Pac-12 freshmen as well as second in 3-point shots made. He scored a season-high 20 points in Stanford’s win over USC.

Stojakovic will join fellow portal guards Christian Tucker‍, Jeff Nwankwo‍ and DJ Campbell‍, wings Josh Ola-Joseph‍ and B.J. Omot‍ and F/C Lee Dort‍ in Cal’s 2024 portal class along with frosh PG Jeremiah Wilkinson‍. 

Related:

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Bears Make Another Portal Addition in Minnesota SF Josh Ola-Joseph