How Illinois Transfers Are Faring: Morez Johnson Jr., Tre White and Others

Illinois is off to a scorching-hot start at 4-0 and has climbed all the way to its highest spot in the AP poll since the end of the 2023-24 season. Despite the optimism swirling around Champaign, we're left to wonder: Would the Illini be even better if they hadn’t lost some notable players to the transfer portal this offseason?

We won’t answer that question here, but we will provide some data and a quick, early-season snapshot for each player who departed Champaign in the offseason – and then let you be the judge. Without further ado:

The latest on former Illini around the country

Carey Booth, Colorado State

Four games in, and the Carey Booth-Colorado State union has been a dream come true for both parties. The Rams are 4-0, with each win coming by double digits. Meanwhile, Booth is producing in a big way: 12.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, plus 56.5 percent shooting from the field and 54.5 percent from long distance (1.5 threes per game), in just 23.3 minutes per game.

Booth with AUTHORITY!#Relentless x #RAMILY pic.twitter.com/ZoO9ebA3kI
— Colorado State Men’s Basketball (@CSUMBasketball) November 9, 2025

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, UNLV

Other than poor efficiency from beyond the arc (21.7 percent) and a little bit of foul trouble (a 17-minute foul-out against Memphis), Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn has been nearly flawless for UNLV. The 6-foot-1 guard has seamlessly transitioned into a go-to role, averaging 15.3 points per game and 3.0 assists for the Runnin’ Rebels.

Dra with the dunk 🔨

📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/4vfOYGlyJg
— UNLV Men's Basketball (@TheRunninRebels) November 16, 2025

Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

Already a proven product at the Big Ten level, Johnson was expected to come out of the gate and be a key piece of Michigan’s attack – and he has been exactly that. Averaging 14.7 points (on 63.3 percent shooting from the field), 7.7 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block, Johnson is the same two-way menace he was at Illinois – just on a broader scale.

Morez Johnson Jr. has so much game 👀

📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/JnNEBJtfur
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) November 4, 2025

His free-throw percentage has leapt from 61.8 percent last year as a freshman to a solid 75.0 percent through three games as a sophomore. Johnson has even attempted a pair of threes on the season, and although he didn’t connect on either, the solid stroke and uptick in efficiency from the charity stripe are signs that his jumper could become a respectable threat.

Tre White, Kansas

A steady presence who has consistently brought production on a night-to-night basis throughout his four-year career, White has kept it going at Kansas. A 6-foot-7 wing, White is averaging 14.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He has been quite efficient (58.3 percent from the field) in his role as a secondary option for ultra-talented freshman Darryn Peterson.

TRE FOR THREEEE pic.twitter.com/ntuVCcxXwH
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) October 29, 2025

And in Peterson’s recent absence, White has carried a heavier load without a hitch, scoring 17.0 points, grabbing 7.6 rebounds and dishing out 2.7 assists all while maintaining that high clip from the field, shooting 14-for-23 (60.9 percent) over those three games.