Morez Johnson Commits to Illini

While National Signing Day is just around the corner you would think the focus would seemingly be on the seniors, but a certain sophomore stole the recruiting spotlight on Friday as the top power forward in the 2024 class Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL made an early commitment to attend Illinois.

Johnson has been one of the headliners of this class from the moment he stepped into St. Rita last year.  What makes him such a special prospect?  In our most recent evaluation of him in late October at Pangos we said Johnson was an absolute man child doing whatever he wanted.  He took his man from the high-post off the bounce for scores.  Spin moves, seals, and all of them finishing with dunks.  Worked well in the pick/roll and spaced the floor with his shooting.  Dominated the glass as well.

His combination of physical gifts, elite athleticism, tenacity, and skill potential make him scream potential top 30 prospect nationally.  Johnson recently took a quartet of visits with teammate and fellow top 2024 post James Brown James Brown 6'9" | C Link Academy (from Chicago) | 2024 #66 Nation MO this fall.  Those trips were to Ohio State, Illinois, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.  Sources close to the situation tell us he wanted to commit shortly after the visit but held off to see what the other high-majors had to show him on the visits.  Once they concluded he was ready to end the short recruiting process and commit to the in-state Big 10 program.  When we talked to him about the visit he said,

“It was nice.  I love Coach Underwood and Tim Anderson.  I love the campus.  They have some new stuff being done to the school.  It was great.”

Johnson currently sets at #2 overall in the state rankings for the 2024 class and is the first commitment among those prospects.  He runs with Meanstreets during the summer in the Nike EYBL.  Johnson is among the top 5 prospects regardless of class in the state of Illinois.