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Morez Johnson Jr. shines in championship, leads USA to gold at FIBA U19 World Cup

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie07/06/25CSayf23
Morez Johnson Jr.
Michigan Wolverines basketball forward Morez Johnson Jr. at the FIBA U19 World Cup. (Photo courtesy Michigan basketball)

Michigan Wolverines basketball sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. led Team USA to the FIBA U19 World Cup gold medal in Lausanne, Switzerland. An Illinois transfer, Johnson shined all tournament long, helping the Americans win their ninth gold medal in the event’s history.

The USA defeated Germany, 109-76, in Sunday’s gold medal game. Johnson recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 5-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 at the free throw line.

Johnson was also part of the USA team that won gold at the 2024 FIBA U19 Americas Championship.

The 6-foot-9, 255-pounder played in all seven games, averaging 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 18.5 minutes. He posted a pair of double-doubles — against Australia (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Germany (15 points, 10 rebounds).

Johnson ranked fourth in the World Cup with 12 blocks and 13th with 45 rebounds.

This offseason, Johnson has worked to expand his game, and his improvements were on display in Switzerland, after he impressed in practices in Colorado Springs enough to make the star-studded roster.

“I’m versatile,” Johnson said in an interview with On3’s Jamie Shaw. “I am able to catch in the pocket, play on the block, switch one through five as needed. I’m able to stretch the floor, facilitate at the top of the key, handoffs, and pass it. I’m just a versatile player, I’d say.”

Now that the World Cup has concluded, Johnson can shift his focus back to offseason training in preparation for Michigan’s much-anticipated 2025-26 campaign — and the Illinois transfer has high expectations for his team.

“I think we can be very good,” Johnson said. “I think we have a real chance to win a national title, at least make it to the Final Four if we do what we’re supposed to. This team is really good.

Morez Johnson Jr. FIBA U19 World Cup stats

DateOpponentFinal ScoreKey Stats
July 6GermanyW, 109-7615 points, 10 rebounds
July 5New ZealandW, 120-646 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
July 4CanadaW, 108-10210 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
July 2JordanW, 140-6719 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
July 1CameroonW, 129-703 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block
June 29FranceW, 108-773 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
June 28AustraliaW, 88-7310 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals

Oscar Goodman injures ankle in bronze medal game

Michigan forward Oscar Goodman — who joined the team for the second semester in 2024-25 — was part of the New Zealand squad that advance to the semifinals and lost to Slovenia, 91-87, in the bronze medal game.

Goodman injured his right ankle in the first quarter and played only three and a half minutes. Goodman registered 2 points and an assist before going down.

The 6-foot-7, 225-pounder averaged 6.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 19.1 minutes per contest.

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