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Illinois Basketball: 3 bold predictions for Illini commit Morez Johnson Jr.

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 2, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; A view of the court inside the Toyota Center prior to the McDonalds’s All American Games. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sport
Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; A view of the court inside the Toyota Center prior to the McDonalds’s All American Games. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sport /

2. Morez Johnson Jr. will make the McDonald’s All-American Game

The rise of Morez Johnson has been fun to watch, especially since he is going to be playing for the Illinois basketball program in 2024.

In the previous slide, I mention that one of my bold predictions is Johnson becoming a five-star recruit this upcoming season. A part of the attention that comes with becoming a five-star recruit would be making the McDonald’s All-American Game.

This would be a huge accomplishment for Johnson and the Illinois basketball program. Only the cream of the crop is selected for this prestigious game, and having Johnson as one of those players would instantly raise his profile.

24 players are selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game, so realistically, Johnson would have to crack the top 24 in the recruiting rankings. But it isn’t an exact science by any means. Last year, Ernest Udeh Jr. got in, and he was ranked as the No. 32 player in the class of 2022.

Having an Illinois commit playing in the McDonald’s All-American Game would be fun to watch. The last time the Illini had a player compete in the event was in 2010 when Jereme Richmond suited up. I believe we have had a total of 13 McDonald’s All-American players dating back to 1980.

If Johnson climbs a little more in the rankings and does crack the top 25, I think he is a lock to compete in this big-time showcase. I am predicting that he does make it into the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2024.

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