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Illinois Basketball: 2024 Illini commit invited to USA minicamp

ByCollin Allen|
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois basketball fans just got another reason to be excited about the future of Illinois basketball.

Illini commit Morez Johnson Jr. announced on social media that he received an invitation to the 2023 Junior National Team October Minicamp.

The minicamp took a three-year halt following its 2019 event, which featured Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and Scoot Henderson among others.  Current Illini forward Ty Rodgers competed in the event in 2018.

According to USA Basketball’s website, the minicamp consists of on-court drills and scrimmages, as well as educational programs focused on NCAA eligibility and education.

To give you a little taste of what to expect, here’s a clip from the 2018 minicamp.

https://twitter.com/usabasketball/status/1049800425027903489?s=20

Illinois basketball commit Morez Johnson Jr. remains cemented as a top 50 recruit for 2024

Johnson is a 6-foot-9, 220-pound power forward who transferred to Thornton Township High School in Illinois earlier this year.  He is ranked the No. 47 player in the 2024 class and No.1 in the state of Illinois.  During the 2022-23 season, he averaged 17.2 points, 12.1 board, and a block per game.

Johnson recently participated in the 2023 Peach Jam, where he dominated in the paint – both offensively and defensively.  He led the Nike EYBL in rebounding, averaging 9.8 of them, along with just over 13 points per game.  He played 17 games for the Meanstreets and one of those included a ridiculous 25-point, 22-board outing.

Johnson currently sits at No. 31 in ESPN’s 2024 100 rankings, and he also came in at No. 39 in Made Hoops’ Top 150 2024 rankings posted earlier this month.

The Illini’s 2024 class consists of Johnson and three-star power forward Jason Jakstys.  Currently, the class ranks No. 25 in the country and No. 7 in the Big Ten.

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