2024 Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year: Thornton's Morez Johnson

Paper rosters are now a rare perk at high school basketball games. For many reasons, that is a shame.

One of the joys of the sport is picking out the promising sophomore who sparks his team in a few minutes off the bench, remembering his name and following his progress over the years. Most fans won’t bother sorting through the maze of internet links to figure out that name.

No one has ever needed a roster to determine which player is Morez Johnson. The 2024 Sun-Times Player of the Year makes an instant impression.

“The first time I laid eyes on him I certainly believed he could be the best prospect in the class,” St. Laurence assistant coach Roshawn Russell said. “He was raw but had freak athleticism, speed and a high motor. He just needed some sharpening over time.”

2024 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area boys basketball team

Johnson didn’t start dribbling a basketball when he was a toddler. And there was no overbearing parent devoted to molding him into the area’s next basketball star.

He started playing basketball with the Chicago Demons’ youth program in fifth grade. Most of the other players had a higher skill level. His father, Morez Johnson Sr., told him that he would have a size advantage and that if he worked harder he would catch the other kids.

Johnson did that, even developing a rigid schedule for his days.

“That’s something that separates him,” said Russell, who coached Johnson at St. Rita during his first three years of high school. “His commitment level is different. He doesn’t just talk it, he walks it. He really wants to be the best version of himself. He’s a kid that looks you straight in the eye. He seeks information out and wants to improve.”

Russell left St. Rita after last season and Johnson, a 6-9 forward, transferred to Thornton, his local high school. Johnson led Riverdale Washington to a state title in eighth grade.

Basketball doesn’t leave much time for other interests, but Johnson likes to build Legos and says he is “forcing himself” to watch movies. Spending 1½ hours focused on one thing is tough for current teenagers. There are no attention-span issues for Johnson on the basketball court. He’s all effort for 32 minutes.

“I’ve always played like that,” Johnson said. “That’s my ace. I give my all. I’ve wondered why other guys take plays off. They are probably too big-headed, thinking their teammates can do the other stuff.”

Johnson and three other major transfers, Isaiah Green (Kenwood), Meyoh Swansey (Romeoville) and Chase Abraham (TF North) teamed up to lead Thornton to a 28-4 record so far this season. The Wildcats face Brother Rice in a Class 3A sectional final Friday.

Johnson has 27 double-doubles this season and averages 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals.

He has led Thornton to major wins against Peoria Richwoods, Kenwood, Metamora, Benet, Bloom, Rich, Kankakee and Richmond Heights, Ohio, in a nationally televised game on ESPN.

Thornton’s Morez Johnson (12) looks on during the Big Dipper Championship game against Homewood-Flossmoor.

Johnson was upset when he wasn’t picked as a McDonald’s All-American. He’s ranked 29th in the country or higher by ESPN, Rivals and 247 Sports, so he was right on the cusp. He has been selected for the other two major national all-star games.

“That stuff is all political and doesn’t matter in the end,” Thornton coach Tai Streets said. “He’s a great kid, and he’s a leader. That’s important: He’s a leader. Everybody follows him. They listen to him because he sets a standard.”

James Brown and Nojus Indrusaitis, Johnson’s fellow major-college prospect teammates at St. Rita last season, transferred to prep schools for their senior year. Johnson, an Illinois recruit, decided to come home.

That has allowed him a chance to do something special. The Wildcats are one of the favorites to win the Class 3A state title. Thornton won state titles in 1933 and 1966 but lost in the championship game in 1995 and 1996.

“The community is hungry for a title,” Streets said. “There’s a lot of unfinished business. Hopefully, we can finish it off. He’ll be a legend for life.”

But state title or not, returning home to lead Thornton to a special season has given him a local legacy that no prep school can provide.

“I will always be in those barbershop talks now,” Johnson said.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

2023—Jeremy Fears Jr., Joliet West

2022—Braden Huff, Glenbard West

2021—Max Christie, Rolling Meadows

2020—DJ Steward, Young

2019—DaJuan Gordon, Curie

2018—Talen Horton-Tucker, Simeon

2017—Alonzo Verge, Thornton

2016—Charlie Moore, Morgan Park

2015—Jalen Brunson, Stevenson