Sasha Stefanovic is in his third season as an assistant coach at Purdue.
Stefanovic helps with the development of Purdue’s guards while also running and designing Purdue’s out-of-bounds plays, while serving as an international recruiter.
Last season, Purdue posted a 24-12 overall record and reached the Sweet 16 behind guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, both of whom were in their third season as starters. The duo combined to average almost 30 points per game and made over 40 percent of their 3-point attempts, while boasting an assist-to-turnover ratio better than two-to-one.
In addition, he had a hand in the development of guards C.J. Cox and Gicarri Harris, who are primed for breakout sophomore seasons.
In 2023-24, running the keys to the high-powered Boilermaker offense as the nation’s youngest offensive coordinator, Stefanovic was a key factor in Purdue’s offensive resurgence, reaching the National Championship game. The Boilermakers ranked fourth nationally in offensive efficiency, second nationally in 3-point percentage and 15th in scoring offense, while setting school records in points scored, assists and assist / turnover ratio. Purdue had four players with at least 50 made 3-pointers for the second time in school history (2017-18), and tied for the most in the country. Stefanovic was also instrumental in the continued development of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. Smith set a Big Ten record with 292 assists while being named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, while Loyer increased his 3-point percentage almost 100 points to become one of the nation’s top shooters.
Three years ago, Stefanovic was instrumental in the development of freshman guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, a pair that helped Purdue to a 29-6 overall record, the Big Ten regular-season and tournament championship, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a No. 1 national ranking for the second straight year. Smith was named to the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team, while Loyer won three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
Stefanovic aids in on-campus recruiting, player development, coaching strategy and statistical analysis.
Stefanovic had an outstanding career at Purdue from 2019 to 2022, helping the Boilermakers to the 2019 Big Ten regular-season championship, an Elite Eight appearance in 2019, a Sweet 16 showing in 2022 and another NCAA Tournament berth in 2021. He was part of four teams that compiled an 89-43 (.674) record.
During his career, Stefanovic scored 980 career points with 270 rebounds and 242 assists. He made 226 career 3-pointers, ranking seventh on Purdue’s career list. He shot 38.8 percent from long distance for his career (226-of-562) and 81.0 percent (158-of-195) from the free throw line.
Stefanovic’s best season came as a senior in 2021-22. He averaged 10.4 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds while connecting on 87 trifectas – the ninth most in a season in school history.
He spent the 2022-23 season, playing overseas in Serbia after playing in the NBA Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs.
Stefanovic is engaged to his fiancée, Angela, with a wedding date scheduled for October.