Morez Johnson Invited to USA Basketball U18 Training Camp

USA Basketball & Illinois Athletics

May 15, 2024

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Incoming Fighting Illini freshman Morez Johnson Jr. has been selected as one of 30 players set to compete at the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team training camp, beginning May 23 at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center.

Johnson, a 6-foot-9-inch, 225-pound power forward, will compete among the best players in the nation in the graduating classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026, vying for a spot on the 12-member team that will represent USA Basketball at the 2024 Men’s U18 AmeriCup, June 3-9, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A native of Riverdale, Ill., Johnson was selected as the 2024 Illinois Mr. Basketball and Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season at Thornton Township High School. As a senior, he averaged 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three steals while leading the Wildcats to a 25-9 record. Johnson signed with the Illinois program last November. He is the top-ranked player in the state and a consensus national top-30 recruit with four-star ratings from Rivals (26), On3 (28), ESPN (28) and 247Sports (29).

Johnson was a part of the 2024 USA Men’s Junior National Select Team and helped lead the U.S. to victory over the World Select Team with eight points, four rebounds and a block in 12 minutes of action at the 25th Nike Hoop Summit in April. Johnson also participated at the 2023 USA Men’s Junior National Team minicamp last October and attended training camp for the 2022 USA Men’s U17 National Team.

The class of 2024 includes Daniel Jacobsen, Tre Johnson, Morez Johnson Jr., Patrick Ngongba II and Jayden Quaintance.

From the class of 2025 are Darius Acuff Jr., Nate Ament, Mikel Brown Jr., Nikola Bundalo, Jerry Easter II, Jeremiah Fears, Jeremiah Green, Hudson Greer, Shelton Henderson, Jasper Johnson, Jamier Jones, Nikolas Khamenia, Nyk Lewis, Jack McCaffery, Trey McKenney, Malachi Moreno, Mazi Mosley, Xavion Staton, Meleek Thomas, Sadiq White, Sebastian Williams-Adams and Caleb Wilson.

Alex Constanza, Kaden House and Kalek House will attend from the class of 2026.

Training camp will be led by 2024 USA Men’s U18 National Team head coach Tommy Lloyd (University of Arizona) and assistant coaches Grant McCasland (Texas Tech University) and Micah Shrewsberry (University of Notre Dame). Assisting as court coaches during the opening phase of training camp will be Justin Gray (Coastal Carolina University), Ben McCollum (Drake University), Josh Schertz (St. Louis University) and Jon Scheyer (Duke University). All four court coaches will make their USA Basketball coaching debuts.

FIBA recently announced that USA Basketball will open Group B play with Argentina, Belize and Brazil at the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup. The U.S. men will take on Argentina in their opening game on June 3. The Americans hold a 12-1 record against the Argentineans. On June 4, the USA will face Belize, who are set to compete at the event for the first time. Group B play closes with Brazil on June 5 with the U.S. looking to improve to 11-0 all-time.

 

 

Podcasts

Illinois Fighting Illini Win 87-40 in a “CritterKill” over UMES - #430

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Execute a Huge 2nd Half Rally to Defeat Rutgers 38-31 - #429

Listen

Nov 22 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4Ep15

Listen

Nov 22 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4Ep15

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Fall 100-87 to Alabama Crimson Tide #428

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini at Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Preview #427

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Looming B1G vs SEC Battle, Deion Roster Strategy, Indiana Genius Move, Illini Trending Up, Hire Better & B1G FB Tiers

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Defeat Michigan State Spartans 38-16 - Post Game Analysis #426

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Defeat Michigan State Spartans 38-16 - Instant Take #425

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Defeat Oakland 66-54 Post Game Analysis - #424

Listen

Michigan State Spartans at the Illinois Fighting Illini Football Preview #423

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys - How Long Will B1G & SEC Play Nice, Illini Hoops Update & B1G Football Tiers

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Defeat Southern Illinois Edwardsville 90-58 #422

Listen

Nov 8 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4Ep13

Listen

Nov 8 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4Ep13

Listen