Morez Johnson Jr.'s Illinois-to-Michigan Transfer Proves a Rare Win-Win

The star forward's move has paid off for all involved parties, including his former team Illinois.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting in bold blues, greens, and reds depicts the overlapping movements and perspectives of a college basketball game, conveying the sport's intensity and tactical nuance through an abstract, cubist visual style.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of a high-stakes college basketball matchup.Chicago Today

Morez Johnson Jr.'s decision to transfer from Illinois to Michigan has turned out to be a rare win-win situation for all parties involved. Johnson has thrived at Michigan, helping the Wolverines reach the Final Four, while his departure has also benefited Illinois by allowing the team to better optimize its spacing-heavy offense. Despite the initial disappointment for Illini fans, the move has ultimately worked out well for Johnson, Michigan, and Illinois.

Why it matters

The transfer portal era in college basketball has often led to more questions than answers, with players switching schools frequently and programs sometimes suffering as a result. However, Johnson's transfer is an example of how a high-profile move can end up being mutually beneficial for all involved.

The details

Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward, was not considered to have tremendous NBA upside while at Illinois. But at Michigan, he has blossomed into a projected first-round draft pick, averaging 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Meanwhile, his departure from Illinois has allowed the Illini to optimize their spacing-heavy offense, with freshman forward David Mirkovic thriving as a 37.6% three-point shooter. Both Michigan and Illinois have reached the Final Four, setting up a potential championship game matchup between the two schools.

  • Johnson transferred from Illinois to Michigan in the 2025 offseason.
  • Michigan won the Big Ten regular-season title in the 2025-26 season.
  • Illinois and Michigan are both set to compete in the 2026 NCAA Final Four.

The players

Morez Johnson Jr.

A 6-foot-9 forward who transferred from Illinois to Michigan, where he has blossomed into a projected first-round NBA draft pick.

David Mirkovic

A freshman forward at Illinois who has thrived as a 37.6% three-point shooter, helping the Illini optimize their spacing-heavy offense in the wake of Johnson's departure.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini, who has built a roster that has benefited from Johnson's transfer.

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who has guided the team to the Final Four after adding Johnson to the roster.

Aday Mara

A member of Michigan's formidable defensive frontcourt, along with Johnson and Yaxel Lendeborg.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

If both Illinois and Michigan win their Final Four matchups, they will meet in the NCAA championship game, providing an opportunity to further evaluate the impact of Johnson's transfer.

The takeaway

Johnson's transfer from Illinois to Michigan has proven to be a rare win-win situation, with the player, his new team, and his former team all benefiting from the move. This example highlights how the transfer portal can sometimes lead to mutually beneficial outcomes, even in an era often characterized by more questions than answers.