Michigan Basketball Transfer Leads Team USA to FIBA Gold Medal With Strong Performance
The Michigan Wolverines hauled in one of the top transfer portal classes in the nation this offseason under the guidance of head coach Dusty May and his supporting staff, netting star forward Yaxel Lendeborg and athletic Illinois big man Morez Johnson Jr. among others.
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On Sunday, Johnson Jr. turned in a performance to remember with the American U19 FIBA World Cup team as he stuffed the stat sheet while helping the United States to a gold medal game win over Germany.
Johnson Jr.'s double double performance caught attention on social media as fans began to ponder the possibilities for him on Coach May's team.
Former Illinois F and Michigan transfer Morez Johnson Jr. shoots vs. Kentucky in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
"Congratulations to @umichbball's Morez Johnson Jr., who helped lead Team USA to gold at the U19 FIBA World Cup," Alejandro Zuniga wrote on X.
"Morez Johnson Jr. had a double-double against Germany in the championship game: 15 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes.
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"A Michigan Beast," one fan wrote with a .GIF of ex-Wolverine Jordan Poole after a big play.
"Congrats to the US team. Germany in the top 2. We have come a long way," one fan wrote under a video of the gold medal game, congratulating the Americans.
Another fan gave Johnson an "honorable mention" in the comments section of a YouTube video of the game, saying they wished he had stayed with the Fighting Illini.
"We're still the best in the world," another fan wrote. "Don't let them tell you otherwise," they added with trophy and gold medal emojis.
Related: Big Changes Coming to Michigan Offense, QB Bryce Underwood Reveals
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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