{
  "id": 12235866,
  "title": "Mirkovic, Stojakovic earn Preseason All-Big Ten honors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/mirkovic-stojakovic-earn-preseason-all-big-ten-honors",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T21:39:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mirkovic-stojakovic-earn-preseason-big-213910745.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic, two prominent returning players for the Illinois basketball team, have been honored with preseason All-Big Ten selections. Both athletes showcased impressive performances last season, averaging over 13 points per game.\n\nMirkovic, a versatile player, was a triple threat, ranking within the top three in points, rebounds, and assists. During the 2025-2026 season, he set a new freshman rebound record with 297 boards. His double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds played a crucial role in Illinois' victory against Houston. Stojakovic, who had a less prominent season at Cal, contributed significantly during his first year with Illinois. His ability to effectively score near the basket proved invaluable to the team, leading them to a crucial win against Iowa in the Elite Eight. Stojakovic's 17 points in that game were particularly notable, as he was the least impactful player on the court. Both players join other notable Big Ten names such as Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau and Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr.",
  "summary": "Illinois’ top two returners are recognized as some of the top players in the conference.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mirkovic and Stojakovic named preseason All-Big Ten",
    "Mirkovic set freshman rebound record with 297 boards",
    "Stojakovic's 17 points crucial in Elite Eight win"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}