Morez Johnson, Illinois recruit, makes big jump in 247Sports 2024 basketball rankings
Morez Johnson made a big jump this offseason with his transfer from St. Rita to Thornton Township.
Now the 6-foot-9 standout center has made a big move in the 247Sports basketball recruiting rankings for the senior class.
Johnson, who committed to the University of Illinois in November of 2021, moved up 16 spots to No. 35 overall in the Class of 2024.
A 6-9, 220-pounder, Johnson is rated as the top prospect in Illinois and the sixth-best center prospect nationally in the senior class.
Johnson is joined in 247Sports' top 100 prospects by Metamora power forward Cooper Koch, a 6-7 Iowa recruit who moved up 12 spots to No. 71 overall.
Morez Johnson blocks a shot during his junior season at St. Rita.
Nate Latsch photo
Lathan Sommerville, a 6-9 center at Richwoods in Peoria who is committed to Rutgers, landed just outside the top 100 at No. 102 after moving up two spots. Sommerville is rated No. 80 in the 247Sports Composite, which takes into account other recruiting website rankings.
Yorkville power forward Jason Jakstys, a 6-10 power forward who committed to Illinois, is at No. 111 overall nationally after jumping up 76 spots.
Shooting guard Cole Certa, a Notre Dame commit who transferred from Bloomington Central Catholic to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year, is now No. 74 nationally after moving up eight spots.
Two of Johnson's former St. Rita teammates also made the top 100.
Nojus Indrusaitis, a 6-5 shooting guard who is committed to Iowa State, landed at No. 79 overall. He has transferred from St. Rita to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire since last season.
James Brown, a 6-9 center who committed to North Carolina, is at No. 91 overall. Brown transferred from St. Rita to Link Academy in Missouri following his junior season.
Former Bloomington Central Catholic guard Cole Certa
Photo by Nate Latsch
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