Chambana Sun

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Morez Johnson Jr., an incoming freshman for the Fighting Illini, has been selected to join the USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team. He is among 12 players chosen to represent the United States at the 2024 FIBA U18 Men's AmeriCup scheduled from June 3-9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Johnson's selection came after a five-day training camp held in Colorado Springs, where he competed with 28 other participants. The athletes were chosen by the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee.

This marks Johnson as the third Illini signee during Brad Underwood's tenure to be part of USA Basketball. Previous players Ayo Dosunmu (2018) and Ty Rodgers (2022) both secured gold medals at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship before starting their freshman year at Illinois.

Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing 225 pounds, Johnson hails from Riverdale, Illinois. He was named the 2024 Illinois Mr. Basketball and Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season at Thornton Township High School. During that season, he averaged impressive stats: 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game while leading his team to a 25-9 record. Last November, Johnson signed with Illinois and is ranked as the top player in his state and a national top-30 recruit according to various sports rating agencies.

The USA Basketball team will start Group B play against Argentina on June 3 at 6:10 p.m. CT. They hold a historical advantage with a record of 12-1 against Argentina. On June 4, they will face Belize for its first appearance in this event followed by Brazil on June 5; both games are set for a tip-off at 3:40 p.m. CT.