Morez Johnson Jr. was named one of 18 finalists at the USA Basketball U19 training camp in Colorado Springs.
Johnson was among the 31 athletes invited to try out for the 12-man roster that will compete in the FIBA U19 World Cup later this month. A final 12-man roster is expected to be announced later this week, before the group completes its preparations for the event.
Wolverine sophomore LJ Cason also participated in training camp but didn’t make the cut to 18.
Johnson averaged 7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game as a freshman at Illinois. He’s expected to play a crucial role in Michigan’s revamped frontcourt after committing to the Wolverines out of the transfer portal this offseason.
This is Johnson’s second experience with USA Basketball. He averaged 8 points and 9 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game for the USA U18 team, which won the 2024 FIBA AmeriCup last summer.
Here’s the full roster of finalists:
Spicyc
Honestly this experience for Morez is going to help both him and Michigan in the long run!
Umichjenks
Did we hear anything about LJ? Not sure on makeup of the invitees, but maybe he just doesn’t have enough experience as of yet? Still helps he was able to go through some workouts and learn some things.
umhoops
Just that he didn’t make the first cut. The national media at these things tends to focus more on younger guys because they are recruits/draft prospects, but didn’t see Cason mentioned by anyone in attendance as standing out.
Big field to try to make the team obviously.