3. Morez Johnson Jr. will win the Illinois Mr. Basketball award
While having a commit playing in the McDonald’s All-American game is pretty rare for the Illinois basketball program, snagging someone who was the Illinois Mr. Basketball has come much easier.
Earning the coveted honor of being the best player in the state of Illinois is something to cherish. There is so much talent that comes out of the state every season, so being dubbed the Illinois Mr. Basketball is special.
Six out of the last 11 Illinois Mr. Basketball players have gone on to be selected in the NBA Draft. Nearly all Illinois Mr. Basketball players go on to see some type of action in the NBA whether that is in The Association or in the G-League.
The Illini have had our hands on a few of the Illinois Mr. Basketballs over the last few decades. Adam Miller was the last one we have snagged and that was in 2020. Some of the more notable names who were named Illinois Mr. Basketball and attended Illinois included Brandon Paul, Dee Brown, Brian Cook, Frank Williams, Sergio McClain, and Jarrod Gee.
Illinois Mr. Basketball was dominated by the Illini in the 1990s and early 2000s. That trend fizzled out under John Groce. Brad Underwood has started to get us back on track, though. With two Illinois Mr. Basketballs under his belt, it is time to add a third to the list. I am predicting Johnson will win the Illinois Mr. Basketball award in 2024.