Duke supporters are trying to entice a top transfer to take Cooper Flagg’s place.
As the college basketball offseason kicks into high gear, the Duke Blue Devils find themselves at a crossroads. With freshman phenom Cooper Flagg expected to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft and fellow standout Kon Knueppel also heading to the pros, Duke’s once-loaded roster is suddenly full of question marks. And fans have already set their sights on a high-profile solution: California Golden Bears wing Andrej Stojakovic.
The 6-foot-7 sophomore, who averaged 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game for Cal this past season, recently entered the NCAA transfer portal with a “Do Not Contact” tag—a not-so-subtle indication that he may already have a destination in mind. That hasn’t stopped the college basketball world from buzzing, and Duke fans, in particular, are making a full-court press on social media.
“Looks like either Duke or Kentucky. Programs that actually spend,” one fan wrote, capturing the sentiment of a fanbase that knows it’s in need of an impact scorer. Another chimed in bluntly: “I’d love this get.” X (formerly Twitter) users like @JLuc610 didn’t beat around the bush, posting, “Pay that man whatever it takes #duke.” Meanwhile, @Sterls10k echoed the fanbase’s growing optimism: “Duke might be a good fit for him.”
But Duke fans aren’t the only ones weighing in. UNC supporters have expressed frustration at their own program’s inactivity, with one post reading, “Smh what are UNC doing geez.” Even Illinois fans threw their hat into the ring, with one confidently declaring, “Illinois. Confirmed.”
For Duke, though, the interest in Stojakovic runs deeper than just replacing a few stars. This is about filling a leadership void and plugging holes on a roster that has lost veteran presence as well. Seniors Mason Gillis and Sion James have both exhausted their eligibility, and the unexpected decommitment of five-star recruit Shelton Henderson earlier this month has only added to the uncertainty.
Stojakovic, the son of former NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, was a long-time target for top programs even before his college debut. His blend of size, skill, and shot-making ability could make him an ideal fit in Jon Scheyer’s system. And with Duke likely to lean on transfer experience next season, bringing in a player who has already proven he can lead a team in scoring would be a huge win.
There’s still no official word on where Stojakovic will land, but the chatter surrounding Durham continues to intensify. If the Blue Devils are indeed his next stop, it would mark a significant step in reshaping a team that suddenly finds itself in the middle of a pivotal offseason.
And for a fanbase still dreaming of banner number six, Andrej Stojakovic just might be the next chapter in Duke’s storied legacy.
Leave a Reply