Stefan Janković (basketball)
Stefan Janković | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 4, 1993 Belgrade, FR Yugoslavia |
| Nationality | Serbian and Canadian |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Known for | Playing for Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League; Big West Conference Player of the Year (2016) |
Stefan Janković (; born August 4, 1993) is a professional basketball athlete holding Serbian and Canadian nationality, currently playing for the Calgary Surge within the Canadian Elite Basketball League. He competed in collegiate basketball over two seasons with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, where he was honored as the Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2016.
Early life
Stefan was born in Belgrade, then part of FR Yugoslavia, to parents Drago and Aida Janković. His family roots trace back to the former Yugoslavia, with his parents having grown up in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and his grandparents originating from Montenegro. Amidst the turmoil of the breakup of Yugoslavia, his family first moved to Belgrade before eventually settling in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, in 1997.
Originally engaged in soccer, Stefan switched his focus to basketball following the family's relocation to Canada, practicing near his residence within a Serbian community. At eight years old, he encountered language challenges as he did not speak English and took on responsibilities at home while his parents were employed.
High school career
Janković began his high school basketball journey at St. Francis Xavier Secondary School in Mississauga, where he averaged 33 points and 10 rebounds during his freshman year. He then transferred to The Kiski School located in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, posting averages of 17 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore, highlighted by an exceptional quadruple-double performance: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks. In his junior year at Kiski, he maintained averages of 22 points, roughly 10 rebounds, and eight assists per game. For his senior season, he attended Huntington Prep School in Huntington, West Virginia, ranking among the nation’s top 50 players with statistics including 9.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. During this period, he played alongside future NBA prospects such as Andrew Wiggins and Sim Bhullar. On October 28, 2011, Janković committed to the University of Missouri, selecting it over other offers from Louisville, Northwestern, Miami, Penn State, West Virginia, and Xavier, citing personal comfort as a decisive factor.
College career
During his freshman season at Missouri, Janković appeared in limited action with two starts, averaging 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds across 7.9 minutes per contest before opting to transfer. While appreciative of Missouri’s program, he sought an opportunity that would offer a more prominent role on the court.
In his junior year at Hawaii, Janković made a substantial impact by averaging 15.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks each game. He earned Big West Player of the Week recognition twice and recorded eight games scoring over 20 points—including a career-best 34-point performance against Cal State Northridge. He also tied for the conference lead with five double-doubles that season. His outstanding contributions resulted in being named Big West Player of the Year along with First Team All-Big West honors.
Sioux Falls Skyforce (2016–17)
Following the 2016 NBA draft where he went undrafted, Janković joined the Miami Heat roster for the 2016 NBA Summer League. On July 13, 2016, he signed with Miami but was released on October 17 after participating in one preseason game. Subsequently, on November 1, 2016, he was acquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player linked to the Heat.
Erie BayHawks (2017)
On March 1, 2017, Janković was transferred to the Erie BayHawks.
Crvena Zvezda (2017–18)
Janković inked a three-year contract with Serbian outfit Crvena zvezda on July 29, 2017. During the 26 games in the ABA League, he posted averages of 5.5 points and 3 rebounds per contest. Crvena zvezda fell short in the ABA League finals against Budućnost Podgorica. In the EuroLeague, he took part in 28 matches, averaging 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting at 38.9%. That season, he contributed to Crvena zvezda securing the Serbian League championship.
Following this period, Janković and Crvena zvezda parted ways despite an existing contract, with differing interpretations regarding his contractual status. The matter was subsequently examined by both the Basketball Federation of Serbia and FIBA.
Partizan (2018–2020)
On October 22, 2018, Partizan officially incorporated Janković into their squad for the 2018–2019 campaign.
Loans
AEK Athens announced the acquisition of Janković for the 2019–20 season on August 26, 2019. Later, on January 14, 2020, he was claimed off waivers by the Capital City Go-Go. Over 15 appearances, he averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds before being released on March 11 due to an injury that ended his season prematurely. On February 1, 2021, Janković signed with Bahçeşehir Koleji competing in the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL).
Tsmoki-Minsk (2021–2022)
Janković joined Tsmoki-Minsk of the Belarusian Premier League on July 29, 2021, where he averaged 10 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Formosa Taishin Dreamers (2022)
On January 10, 2022, Janković became part of the Formosa Taishin Dreamers roster competing in the P. League+.
He later signed with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League on May 2, 2023; however, he did not participate in any matches for the team.
Formosa Dreamers (2024)
Returning to Taiwan's basketball scene, Janković signed a tryout contract with the Formosa Dreamers of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) on August 23, 2024, marking his second stint with this franchise. His contract was terminated on November 16, 2024.
Calgary Surge (2025)
On April 16, 2025, Janković agreed to a one-year deal with the Calgary Surge, competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Personal life
Janković holds dual Serbian-Canadian identity; born in Serbia and raised in Canada, he appreciates the opportunities provided by his Canadian upbringing. He has yet to decide whether to represent either the Serbian or Canadian national basketball teams internationally.
His maternal grandfather was a player for the Yugoslavia national football team, and he has a younger sibling named Andreas.