Morez Johnson Jr. transfers from Illinois to Michigan basketball
The transfer portal in college basketball is in full swing, with Michigan basketball having received one incoming transfer in former North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Elliot Cadeau and losing three in point guard Tre Donaldson, forward Sam Walters, and forward Jace Howard.
The Wolverines now can make it two and three.
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Not too long after the transfer portal opened, the maize and blue secured Cadeau, but now they're adding another to the squad. According to 247Sports Dushawn London, the Wolverines are adding a transfer from a Big Ten rival with Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr. leaving the Illini for Ann Arbor.
Johnson appeared in 30 games last season and averaged seven points and 6.7 rebounds. Last season was his first in college basketball, and he will have three years of eligibility remaining. Coming in at 6-foot-9, Johnson is still coming along as a player, but he does have three double-doubles to his name. As a recruit, he was ranked No. 30 overall in the 2024 class as well as the sixth-best center (though he projects more to power forward).
The scouting report as a recruit via 247Sports:
Johnson is a powerfully built big man, constant double-double threat, and versatile frontcourt defender. He's not the tallest or most offensively skilled, but strong from head-to-toe, physical on both ends of the floor, and very efficient in his role. Defensively, he can bang on the block, provide a physical deterrent to opposing drivers, and really clean the glass (9.8 rebounds per game). Simultaneously though, he can also move laterally and use his length to contain opposing ball-handlers in pick-and-roll action. Offensively, he's a little limited in the post and not yet a consistent shooting threat beyond 15 feet, but nonetheless very effective within his role. He's a diligent rim runner, quick roller off ball screens, and very balanced inside the lane, both ducking-in for deep post position and pivoting through contact. Johnson finishes through traffic and scores equally well with both hands around the rim.
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Johnson will not replace Walters' 3-point prowess as he did not attempt a single 3 all season last year.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan basketball gets transfer from Illinois F Morez Johnson Jr.
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