Top 5 most impactful Illinois basketball newcomers for the 2024-25 season

No. 4 Morez Johnson Jr.

Illinois has upgraded the No. 5 spot tremendously. With Morez Johnson Jr. coming into the program, the Illini now have a big man who can dominate in the middle of the paint.

This past season with Thornton Township High School, Johnson put on display his full repertoire of talent. He showed he could score, averaging 17.2 points per game while shooting 50% from the field and 34% from three-point range. He also tallied 14.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 2.5 steals per game.

These great numbers enabled Johnson to win the Illinois Mr. Basketball award. Being a top 40 recruit, I see Johnson coming into the Illinois program and starting from day one at the No. 5 spot. He has all of the ability in the world, and we need someone like him to man the paint.

Biggest Role: Rebound Vacuum

Johnson can do just about anything on the basketball court, but I think his biggest role on the Illinois basketball team is to be a rebounding vacuum.

When I say rebounding vacuum, I mean Johnson is going to suck up any basketball that is in arm's reach. He doesn’t have huge size at 6-foot-9, but Johnson’s ability to rebound a basketball is special. Illinois won’t have a ton of these types of players on the roster either.

A lot of Illinois’ size heading into next season will stretch the floor. They will play everywhere on the court, so they won’t necessarily be around the rim for second-chance points. Johnson will be the main rebounder on the team in 2024-25, and he will generate more opportunities for the Illini with his rebounding ability.