Future Illinois basketball stars shine in time on the court for Team USA

A couple of future Illinois basketball stars played well in the first game of the U18 AmeriCup.

The United States is in Group B with Belize, Brazil, and the host country, Argentina. On Monday night, Belize was able to beat Brazil, 106-102. In the second game, Argentina was able to make things interesting early in the fourth quarter, but the United States pulled away late to take the win, 88-66.

Illini fans had a reason to cheer on this team, other than the fact it is Team USA. Current signee for 2024, Morez Johnson Jr., and current commit for 2025, Jeremiah Fears, suited up for the national team.

I thought both future Illinois stars played well, but I did have somewhat of a gripe. I didn’t get to see a lot of them on the court despite how effective they were in the game. Fears was eighth on the team with just over 13 minutes of action, and Johnson was second to last on the team with 7:28 of playing time.

Nonetheless, Team USA won, and the two future Illinois players played well. Fears finished the game with four points, three steals, three rebounds, and one assist. In the time Johnson was on the court, he managed to compile two points, four rebounds, and two steals.

As a team, my take on this group of players is that they don’t play well as a team. There is zero chemistry, which is natural if you just started to play together. There is a lot of me-ball going around and not enough passing and creating. Going 2-of-22, 9.1%, from three-point range and 18-of-32, 56.3%, from the free throw line are pretty bad numbers too. We need to get those figured out or it could be a rough tournament.

Illinois basketball is getting two lockdown defenders in Jeremiah Fears and Morez Johnson Jr.

The style of play of Team USA is a bit concerning. It is essentially AAU ball, but that style won’t necessarily work against these other countries who have been playing together and have chemistry. But one thing that did stand out to me on the positive end was Fears and Johnson’s defense.

I will start off with Fears. The energy this kid brings to the court is fun to watch. He is always on his man trying to create opportunities on the offensive end with his defense. His three steals in the game were all in the first half. Fears was great around screens too. I would argue his brain is his best asset.

Johnson works his butt off too. It is hard to find a big man of his size and strength who can run the court as well as him. His athletic ability is going to wear down Big Ten big men from day one. Johnson is also great around the rim defensively. He knows the law of verticality and is smart about not fouling. I also love that he is an incredible rebounder.

Illinois is getting two special players into the program in the next couple of years. We get to see these two on the court together for Team USA. I hope the playing time increases over the coming games as well.