Three Illinois Basketball Players Named to Naismith Trophy Watch List
Three returning University of Illinois basketball players, Andrej Stojakovic, Tomislav Ivisic, and David Mirkovic, have been named to the Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Watch List.
Champaign Urbana & Springfield Decatur, IL, November 2, 2026 — The University of Illinois will be represented on the national stage as three of its returning basketball players have been named to the preseason watch list for the Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year award. The list includes forwards Andrej Stojakovic and Tomislav Ivisic, along with guard David Mirkovic.
The Naismith Trophy is widely recognized as one of college basketball’s most prestigious individual honors. Being included on the initial watch list signifies that these athletes have been identified by the Atlanta Tipoff Club as potential candidates for the award based on their past performance and potential for the upcoming season. The full list comprises 30 of the nation’s top college basketball players.
Andrej Stojakovic, a sophomore forward, joined the Illinois program prior to the 2023-2024 season. Tomislav Ivisic, also a forward, is entering his second year with the Fighting Illini. David Mirkovic, a guard, is another returning member of the team.
The watch list is typically the first step in a multi-stage selection process that culminates in the announcement of finalists and eventually the winner. The exact criteria and specific metrics used for selection to the watch list are not detailed in the provided information. Further selections and announcements regarding the award will be made throughout the college basketball season.
The inclusion of multiple players from the same program highlights the collective talent and depth within the University of Illinois men’s basketball team. As the season progresses, Stojakovic, Ivisic, and Mirkovic will aim to continue performing at a high level to remain under consideration for this significant individual accolade.
The contractor’s name, specific game statistics, or detailed performance metrics leading to their inclusion on the watch list were not provided. The timeline for the Naismith Trophy selection process or any specific requirements for advancing from the watch list were also not detailed.
Story summarized from the original created by Courtney Layne Brewer on www.wcia.com, see more information here.
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