Morez Johnson Jr., Oscar Goodman shine at U19 FIBA World Cup

Michigan basketball players Morez Johnson Jr. (USA) and Oscar Goodman (New Zealand) represented their respective countries over the last 10 days in Switzerland at the U19 FIBA World Cup. Johnson Jr. and the Team USA squad took home the gold medal, while Goodman and New Zealand finished the tournament in fourth place out of 16 teams.

Johnson Jr., listed as 6-foot-8 and a center for Team USA, averaged 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game across seven games en route to the gold medal. The center posted double-figure scoring totals in four of Team USA’s seven games, including a 19-point performance against Jordan in the Round of 16 and a 15-point outing against Germany in the gold medal game.

In Team USA’s 109-76 win over Germany on Sunday to claim the gold medal, Johnson Jr. finished with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double on 5-of-6 shooting.

The incoming Wolverine played his freshman season of college at Illinois, and he is believed by many to be poised for a breakout sophomore campaign under Dusty May at Michigan.

Meanwhile, Goodman helped New Zealand to the bronze medal game. The redshirt freshman, who enrolled at Michigan early as a part of the 2024 recruiting class, averaged 6.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 19.1 minutes per game.

Highlighted by an impressive 13-point, 13-rebound double-double in an 84-70 win over Switzerland, Goodman had a strong showing during the tournament. However, his time playing for New Zealand was cut short. He suffered a right ankle injury just over three minutes into New Zealand’s bronze medal match against Slovenia.

Johnson Jr. and Goodman will both head back to the United States to rejoin Michigan for summer practices and workouts.