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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Morez Johnson Jr.’s journey with the Illinois Fighting Illini was brief but impactful, as he played one season in Champaign-Urbana during the 2024-25 season.
Hailing from Chicago, Johnson Jr. made a solid contribution to the team, averaging seven points and 6.7 rebounds per game during his freshman year.
Unlike typical one-and-done athletes who leave for the transfer portal, Johnson Jr.’s relationship with the Illini ran deeper. He committed to the program as a high school sophomore, spending considerable time with the team long before officially joining as a freshman.
This Friday, Johnson Jr. is set to make a return to the State Farm Center, this time wearing the colors of the Big Ten-leading Wolverines as they face off against Illinois.
The former Illini will return to State Farm Center on Friday when the Big Ten leading Wolverines visit Illinois.
“I think he’s gonna hear it,” Illinois junior guard Jake Davis said of what he expects the response from the crowd to look like. “I think the fans are going to let him know, as they should. He left. Nothing against that – Love Morez, but I think it’ll be good for him to return to what could’ve been, what he could’ve had. I think it’ll be good, it’ll be fun.”
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood says he doesn’t hold a grudge against Johnson Jr., or other players who opted to leave the program.
“Morez is an unbelievable kid, I love him to death,” Underwood said. “His time here was, I hope, just as beneficial for him as he was for us… I don’t begrudge anybody. In today’s world I hope I’m not that petty. He’s a very talented player… He’s tough, he plays very hard and he has impacted that team.”
Johnson Jr. has been a big part of Michigan building what looks like a one-seed resume. The Wolverines are ranked No. 3 in the country with a record of 26-2 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play. The former Illini is averaging 13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore in Ann Arbor.
“Doing a lot of the same things we did,” Underwood said on Johnson Jr.’s use on Dusty May’s squad. “Plays a lot of dribble hand offs, he’s an elite roller. He’s a very, very good shot blocker. He’s one of the best out of position rebounders that I’ve coached… He’s got a great motor. He competes.”
The Thornton Township graduate has sprinkled a bit of outside shooting into his game in year two of college ball. He did not attempt a three-pointer at Illinois, but is 6-for-17 from range so far on the season with UM.
Despite that, Illinois feels the name of his game is physicality.
“Morez is good at what he does, and that’s being super physical, rebounding, being a good hustle guy,” Davis said. “I’ve seen he’s taken a couple threes this year, but I still think Morez is Morez. He’s super physical down low, great rebounder.”
Michigan will be one of few teams which can match the size of Illinois. Each of Michigan top three scorers are 6-foot-9 or taller, including 7-foot-3 Aday Mara.
Illinois vs Michigan tips off at 7 p.m. on Friday, scheduled to air on FOX.