The Illinois men’s basketball team got its 2024 recruiting class rolling today with a commitment from Morez Johnson, the No. 2 in-state prospect in 2024. Johnson is a big recruiting win for new assistant coach Tim Anderson, who has connections to the Meanstreets AAU program, and Chicago area.
Johnson took an unofficial visit to Champaign on Saturday, October 2, along with four of the top 5 2024s in state that day in James Brown, Nojus Indrusaitis, and Jaedin Reyna. The athletic, 6-foot-9 forward will flirt with five-star status as 2024 national rankings are ironed out. Johnson chose Illinois over offers from Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Norte Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas.
I caught up with St. Rita head coach Roshawn Rusell to discuss new Illini commit Morez Johnson. He talked with me about Morez’s commitment, why Morez picked the Illini, and more.
Q: Obviously this was a big decision for Morez, but what was it about Illinois that led him to picking the Illini over the countless teams in the mix for you?
A: He wanted to stay home and create his own legacy. Coach Underwood and Coach Anderson are very personable, did a great job building a relationship with him. Morez wants to win for his home state.
Q: What do you think Morez do best on the court? Describe his game for those who haven’t seen him play?
A: He has a great touch around the basket, much improved 3pt shooter and very athletic. Versatile defender. He plays with a controlled rage. His competitiveness is his best quality as a player. Off the court, great student, high character and soft spoken.
Q: What are some areas of his game that he’d like to improve on?
A: Continue to improve his handle, fundamentals, and not gambling on steals and blocks. He is very long and hard to score on so I’m helping understand not to bail out the offense by reaching for a steal or going for a block when he doesn’t need to.
Q: He took an unofficial visit to Illinois the first weekend of October. What did he see on the unofficial that impressed him?
A: The relationship the coaches had with their players. The team & program was like a family. Similar to what we have in our program.
Q: Along with loving the coaches, what were some of the highlights of the unofficial visit?
A: The campus itself, obviously the education is great, nice facilities, dorms were very impressive. Overall feel was great.
Q: So, looking ahead to the future, did Illinois’ coaches give Morez an idea of how they hope to use him in their system?
A: Definitely use his versatility, however Morez will do what is best for the team to win.
Q: Illinois has had such a good run in the past two years. What are you expecting from them this year?
A: Continue to compete, play together & get better throughout the season.
Q: I have to ask who Morez are recruiting to join him at Illinois. Do Morez have some guys that he is talking to about coming with him to Champaign?
A: We do but I won’t reveal that. Time will tell!
Q: Any chance Morez will reclassify to the class of ’23?
A: No
