Illinois Basketball: Morez Johnson Jr. earns top marks at minicamp

With all of the talent returning, the Illinois basketball team is poised for a great 2023-24 season.

Brad Underwood and the Illini coaching staff have done a great job filling out the roster. The projected lineup entering the exhibition season is stacked.

I fully expect Illinois to not only finish the season ranked, but I think there should be an expectation that this program earns a top-four seed in the NCAA tournament. There is way too much talent and experience for Illinois not to be looked at as one of the best teams in the country.

The great thing about Underwood being the coach is the fact the talent stream isn’t ending anytime soon. Yes, there will be some departures after this season, but Illinois is bringing in some great talent from the class of 2024. One of those players is Morez Johnson Jr.

Johnson has continued to rise in the recruiting rankings over the past year or so. He is currently ranked No. 29 by Rivals, No. 31 by ESPN, and No. 35 by 247Sports for the class of 2024. But those are just numbers. What Johnson does on the court is what really matters.

Over the past month, Johnson was invited to the USA Basketball junior minicamp. He attended that minicamp over the past few days, and the result was getting even more national recognition.

On Tuesday, On3.com published a list of the overall top performers of the minicamp. Checking in at No. 3 on the list was Johnson. Now, mind you, this isn’t just a regular player minicamp. These are the best players from the next three recruiting classes. Still, Johnson was one of the best players.

Illinois basketball commit Morez Johnson Jr. isn’t finished earning accolades

If you have been following Johnson for the past year, you aren’t shocked that he was looked at as one of the best players at the USA Basketball minicamp.

During the Nike EYBL AAU season, Johnson averaged 13.1 points and led the league with 9.8 rebounds per contest. He took those numbers into the Nike EYBL Peach Jam where he averaged 17.0 points and, again, led the league with 13.2 rebounds per game.

I think the crazy part is that Johnson hasn’t even started his senior year of basketball at Thornton Township. With a big summer of top-level basketball and a great showing at the USA Basketball minicamp, the sky is the limit for this talented big man.

Honestly, there is one accolade I have my eyes set on for Johnson. He continues to rise in the recruiting rankings, and at some point, he is going to earn that five-star status. But that isn’t the accolade that I am referring to.

I think Johnson could end up earning a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Snagging a spot on this coveted roster would be huge for Johnson. He is clearly one of the best players in the country, and he has earned this honor. Illinois would get its first McDonald’s All-American Game participant since Jereme Richmond in 2010 as well. I think it can happen. I am excited for Johnson’s senior year.