Meet Morez Johnson Jr.: 5 things to know about the Michigan forward

Meet the Big Ten’s most efficient finisher: Morez Johnson Jr. The men’s college basketball season is heating up with high-stakes games every night and the NCAA Tournament fast approaching. During these key regular season games, March Madness stars introduce themselves to the nation with magical moments and Cinderella runs. We teach you their story before they became national heroes. Ahead of No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 10 Illinois on Friday night (8 p.m. on FOX and the FOX Sports App), let us help you get to know Johnson: 1. Player Build Johnson is a 6-foot-9 matchup nightmare. He’s faster than bigger centers and more physical than guys his size. Playing alongside Michigan forwards Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg has freed up his game due to the mismatches it leads to. Johnson is an elite pick-and-roll partner and efficient finisher, averaging 13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. 2. Switching Camps Johnson transferred to Michigan from conference foe Illinois before his sophomore season. Michigan coach Dusty May maximized the move, as Johnson started all 28 games for the Wolverines after starting just eight times for the Fighting Illini as a freshman. In-conference transfers aren’t exactly common, but Michigan has three with Johnson, Mara (UCLA) and Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State). 3. Injured at Illinois Johnson broke his left wrist in mid-February of his freshman season at Illinois. He exceeded the proposed schedule, recovering much faster than expected to help the Fighting Illini in the NCAA Tournament. 4. Ferocious Finisher Johnson leads the Big Ten in field goal completion percentage (65%) and field goal completion percentage (66.8%). This is a result of not only his game sense, but also his teammates’ ability to set him up inside. 5. History Behind the Jersey Number Johnson wears 21 for Michigan and also did so at Illinois. Both of his parents were born on the seventh of the month – his mother in October and his father in June – and “seven times three is 21. Three sevens”. [are] good luck,” he shared.