Morez Johnson Jr. has played a key role in Michigan’s successful run that led to the Wolverines’ 16th Big Ten Conference regular-season title. The 6’9″, 250-pound power forward is the team’s second-leading scorer with 13.7 points per game and the top rebounder, averaging 7.4 rebounds per game.
How Morez Johnson Jr. Became a Key Piece of Michigan’s Dominant Frontcourt
Johnson’s strong presence on the Wolverines’ frontline, along with forward Yaxel Lenderborg and center Aday Mara, has significantly boosted the team’s performance. The trio’s contributions have eased some pressure from head coach Dusty May, helping the team stay competitive for a top spot in the AP Poll, where they ranked No. 1 in Week 15.
Morez Johnson Jr. was born on January 25, 2006, in Riverdale, Illinois, to Morez Johnson Sr. and Natasha Jones. He is 20 years and one month old at the start of March Madness on Selection Sunday (March 15).
Initially interested in playing tennis and music, especially blowing the trombone, the young Morez did not participate in organized basketball until he was 12. His father, Morez Sr., took him to the Meanstreets for basketball tryouts. He passed the tryouts and has been playing hoops ever since.
Johnson attended St. Rita High School during his first three prep seasons before transferring to Thornton Township as a senior. He led the school to a 29-5 record, earning the team the Class 3A Super Sectional, Sectional, and Southland conference titles. He averaged 20.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game, including 27 double-doubles.
His senior year performance earned him several accolades, including the 2024 Illinois Mr. Basketball and the 2024 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year. As a result, Johnson was a consensus Top 40 national recruit and ranked as the No. 1 player in the state.
Johnson, who committed to Illinois on Nov. 5, 2021, and officially signed two years later, also represented Team USA in the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup, helping the national team win the gold medal. He averaged 8.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13.6 minutes per game, while shooting 62.7% from the field. He also played in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit and contributed to Team USA’s 98-75 victory over the World Select.
During his freshman year with the Fighting Illini, he came off the bench in most of his appearances and made the most of his limited minutes, contributing on both ends of the court. In his college debut against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 4, 2024, he played 15 minutes and finished with 3 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks.
Two months later, Johnson made his first start against Michigan State, where he scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds in 17 minutes. The freshman played 30 games, starting in eight, and averaged 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 17.7 minutes per game. He shot 64.2% from the field and recorded three double-doubles.
After the 2025 season, he entered the transfer portal and, as a highly sought-after frontcourt prospect, attracted interest from Power 4 programs, including Arizona, Kansas State, Iowa, NC State, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Johnson ultimately chose to commit to the Wolverines, joining Elliot Cadeau, Landeborg, and Mara.
The transfers blended well with returning key players Roddy Gayle, Nimari Burnett, LJ Cason, and Will Tschetter, as well as freshman Trey McKenney. The Wolverines finished with a 29-2 record, including 19-1 in the Big Ten, and earned the regular-season title.
Johnson played and started in 31 games under May’s guidance, shooting 64.3% from the field and 78.3% from the free-throw line. He had 24 games with double-figure scoring, including a career-high 29 points against USC. The power forward also appeared in 8 games where he grabbed at least 10 rebounds.
The increased production across the board means that Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the key players whom May trusts to lead the Wolverines back to the promised land, alongside Cadeau, Lendeborg, and Mara.
Michigan ranks second in the NET rankings behind No. 1 Duke, with an impressive 11-0 road record, 14-1 at home, and 4-1 on neutral courts. They are 14-2 against Quad 1 teams and were 15-0 over Quad 2, 3, and 4 teams combined. The Wolverines also rank second-to-last (behind the Blue Devils) in KenPom, with a net rating of 39.35.
Johnson is expected to power through opposing defenses in the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness. He will be a key player in Dusty May’s effort to guide Michigan to its second national championship, the first since 1989.
