Incoming Fighting Illini freshman Morez Johnson Jr. has been selected to the USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team. He is one of 12 players who will represent the U.S. at the 2024 FIBA U18 Men's AmeriCup from June 3-9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Johnson was chosen for the team following five days of training camp among 28 participants in Colorado Springs, Colo. Athletes attending training camp were selected by the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee. 

Johnson becomes the third Illini signee of the Brad Underwood era to represent USA Basketball. Ayo Dosunmu (2018) and Ty Rodgers (2022) both earned gold medals at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship prior to their freshman campaign at Illinois.

A 6-foot-9-inch, 225-pound power forward from Riverdale, Ill., Johnson was voted 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).

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 at 6:10 p.m. CT. 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.?Both the Belize and Brazil games will tip off at 3:40 p.m. CT.