The last 18 months have been a whirlwind for Morez Johnson Jr. Since his senior year of high school ended, the 6-foot-9 big man has won two gold medals with Team USA, starred as a freshman at Illinois, and completed a transfer to Michigan for his sophomore year.
Speaking with Defend the Block , Johnson sounds comfortable in his new home and excited for how a new-look Michigan roster could come together this season.
“I think (we’ll) be ready to go,” Johnson said. “You know, our goal is to win a national championship, and I think we have the great pieces and staff and the people around us to do it.”
Johnson’s role on Michigan’s roster is one of the more interesting preseason storylines to track. Few sophomores in the country have an elite skill as established as his ability to rebound. He finished with a 17.3% offensive rebounding rate and 22.5% defensive rebounding rate last season.
Among Division I players who logged at least 35% of available minutes, Johnson finished last year ranked 4th nationally in offensive rebounding rate.
“That’s something that I always took pride in, just creating second possessions for the team,” he said. “I think that helps winning a lot, getting extra possession, if you get more possessions than the other team, most likely you’re going to win the game, and that’s how I view it. So I know I have to crash the glass every time to try to create those extra possessions for the team.”
That’s how Johnson earned the reputation as an enforcer, a role he played for Team USA at the U19 World Cup and one that he continues to embrace.
“I think that’s one of my aces,” Johnson said of the enforcer description. “So, of course, I will play to my ace. I’m not going to step away from that at all. Being an enforcer, controlling the paint, controlling around the rim, talking to the guys, being very vocal, helping guys be at their spot.”
Johnson’s ability to play that enforcer role in the paint is what drew the Wolverines to him in the transfer portal, but it was the opportunity to expand his game, develop new skills, and evolve his game that helped lure Johnson to Michigan.
“I think Dusty can help me grow my game, develop into a better basketball player,” Johnson said. “But continue to do the stuff I did at Illinois. I really have faith in Coach Dusty and the staff to help me evolve as a basketball player.”
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The post ‘That’s one of my aces’: Morez Johnson Jr. embraces enforcer role while expanding game at Michigan appeared first on UM Hoops.com .