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CBS Insider Jon Rothstein Identifies Illinois Freshman as an 'Under the Radar' Talent

2024 Illinois Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year Morez Johnson Jr. could have an immediate impact for Illini
Jason Langendorf|
Richwoods' Marlon Herron goes to the basket against Harvey Thornton's Morez Johnson Jr. late in the second half of their Class 3A boys basketball supersectional Monday, March 4, 2024 at Ottawa High School. The Knights advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-52 win.
Richwoods' Marlon Herron goes to the basket against Harvey Thornton's Morez Johnson Jr. late in the second half of their Class 3A boys basketball supersectional Monday, March 4, 2024 at Ottawa High School. The Knights advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-52 win. | MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Illinois Fighting Illini

With a roster that has been almost completely turned over from last season, Illinois is a Big Ten wild card that will be counting on a new face – any new face – to not only show out but over-deliver on expectations.

Might that new face belong to Morez Johnson Jr.?

CBS’ Jon Rothstein recently included Johnson, the jewel of Illinois’ incoming freshman class, among his 20 under-the-radar players going into the 2024-25 season. (Other Big Ten sleepers mentioned are UCLA’s Trent Perry, Purdue’s Daniel Jacobsen, Wisconsin’s Daniel Freitag and Michigan State’s Jase Richardson (son of Spartans great Jason Richardson).

The Illini, who return only two scholarship players from last year's Elite Eight squad, have massive hopes pinned on one of the biggest – and brightest – groups of newcomers in college basketball.

Although much of the attention has fallen on Brad Underwood’s highly touted transfer class, as well as the reclassification of ESPN Top 15 recruit Will Riley, Johnson will need to quickly fill a major role if Illinois is to approach anything resembling last season’s run.

Johnson, ESPN’s No. 29 recruit, earned Illinois Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year honors after averaging 17.2 points, 14.1 rebounds, 3.4 blocks and 2.4 steals per game while leading Thornton High School to an IHSA 3A Sectional title as a senior, and he impressed for Team USA during last summer’s FIBA U18 AmeriCup.

With his face-up ability, rim-protecting presence and high motor, Johnson should get his chances to earn big minutes in Champaign immediately.

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Jason Langendorf
JASON LANGENDORF

Jason Langendorf has covered Illinois basketball, football and more for Illinois on SI since October 2024, and has covered Illini sports – among other subjects – for 30 years. A veteran of ESPN and Sporting News, he has published work in The Guardian, Vice, Chicago Sun-Times and many other outlets. He is currently also the U.S. editor at BoxingScene and a judge for the annual BWAA writing awards. He can be followed and reached on X and Bluesky @JasonLangendorf.

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