Kentucky listed as a finalist for Illinois transfer Morez Johnson

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Andrew Carr (7) shoots against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em? Kentucky would certainly love that for Illinois transfer Morez Johnson.

Just over a week after the Wildcats ended the Fighting Illini’s season in the NCAA Tournament, the standout forward has hit the transfer portal and cut his list down to six schools. Among them? Kentucky.

Kentucky joins Ohio State, Kansas, Michigan, Tennessee and Arkansas as programs still in contention for the 6-9, 225-pound freshman out of Riverdale, IL.

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports was the first to break the news.

Illinois transfer Morez Johnson has cut his list to the following programs, per his HS coach RaShay Russell.

Ohio State
Kansas
Michigan
Tennessee
Arkansas
Kentucky
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 1, 2025

Johnson averaged 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 17.7 minutes as a freshman at Illinois. He finished with five points, seven rebounds and a steal in 17 minutes against the Wildcats on March 23.

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Arizona, Arizona State, DePaul, Georgetown, Iowa, Kansas State, NC State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, USC, UCLA, and Wisconsin were among the other schools in contact before the list cut.

Will Johnson make the move to Lexington for his sophomore campaign?

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