Why new Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. has high upside

One day after landing former UNC guard Elliot Cadeau from the transfer portal, Michigan basketball has added former Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr. to next season’s roster. Johnson started eight games and played in 30 this season as a freshman, and he will have three years of eligibility left.

The Riverdale, Illinois, product was committed to the Fighting Illini for over two years before signing.

Michigan basketball lands former Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr. in transfer portal

Johnson Jr. averaged 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in his debut season. Listed at 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, Johnson Jr. proved that he could handle the physicality of Big Ten basketball as a first-year player. His strength is just that – his strength – and it allowed him to finish top 15 in the conference in rebounding, above the likes of Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn.

High Upside

Johnson Jr. could be a center in a smaller and quicker lineup, but he has the size of a prototypical NBA power forward. With a jumper in his arsenal (zero three-point attempts this season), there’s no telling what Johnson Jr.’s game could turn into.

Free throws could also be worked on, as he shot 61.8 percent this season. If Johnson Jr. had a larger sample size of field goals (77-of-120), his 64.2 percent clip would’ve ranked first in the Big Ten and sixth in the country.

New: Jenissa Conway named Big Ten player of the week

In 16 Big Ten contests, Johnson Jr. scored in double figures six times. Johnson Jr. was a force both times he squared off against Michigan State, including a 17-point performance on Feb. 15, wherein he also recorded five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

The freshman put up a career-high 20 points to go along with 11 boards against Penn State, and he dominated Ohio State to the tune of 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. It’s a strong resume in Big Ten play for a first-year player.

On signing day in 2023, Johnson Jr. described himself as a swiss army knife.

“Energy guy, a leader, locked in all the time, I can rebound for you, I can score the basketball if you need me to score. I could get stops for you on defense, I could do all of it,” Johnson Jr. said. “Confident player, ready to work. A person that don’t wanna lose.”

Michigan fans will likely be happy to know that Johnson Jr. didn’t have a problem with protecting the ball this season, as he had 12 games with zero turnovers and only once had more than two. It’s anyone’s guess as to how much a player will develop, but Johnson Jr. could be a formidable big-man for the Wolverines as soon as next season.

More: What does the addition of Elliot Cadeau mean for Michigan’s backcourt?

Michigan is likely to remain active in the portal, as it’s now down three former starters with Tre Donaldson opting to leave for another school and Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf headed to the next level.

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