Illinois freshman Morez Johnson Jr. out indefinitely with a broken wrist: ‘Some guys are going to have to step up’

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CHICAGO — Illinois freshman Morez Johnson Jr. will be out “for a good bit” after breaking his wrist in Saturday’s loss to Michigan State, coach Brad Underwood told reporters in Champaign, Ill., on Monday.

Underwood said Johnson is in a cast and he didn’t have a timeline for a return. Johnson’s injury leaves the Illini (17-9, 9-7 Big Ten) without a key starter as they prepare to face No. 11 Wisconsin on Tuesday in Madison.

Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward, is averaging 7.2 points and 6.6 rebounds, had started the last eight games and had scored in double figures three times in February. He had 17 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals against Michigan State.

Asked how Johnson’s absence would affect the Illini, Underwood replied, “We’ll find out.”

“(Guard) Tre White is back and healthy, and (forward) Carey Booth and all those guys are going to have to give us some opportunities,” Underwood said. “Early in the year, we were playing Morez, as his development was growing, 8, 10, 12 minutes a game, and we’ll go back to that again. Obviously you’ve got an elite offensive rebounder that you’re going to miss, and some guys are going to have to step up.”

Johnson, the 2024 Mr. Basketball of Illinois at Thornton, suffered the injury on a second-half block when he sprinted down the court to knock away a fast-break layup attempt by Michigan State guard Tre Holloman. Johnson fell hard on his arms after the two-handed block and stayed on the floor for several moments.

He continued to play for much of the final seven minutes despite the injury. The Illini missed their final 19 shots over 8 minutes, 29 seconds to lose 79-65.

“He hit the floor pretty hard and was tough enough to bounce up and just say, ‘Tape it,’” Underwood said. “That impacted a couple of his close misses at the rim as well late in the game.

“I feel terrible for the young man. What an incredible play. It’s one of the best I’ve seen in a long time, and unfortunately that injury…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/illinois-freshman-morez-johnson-jr-213000882.html

Author : Chicago Tribune

Publish date : 2025-02-17 21:30:00

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