Former Illini Update: Morez Johnson Jr., Dra Gibbs-lawhorn Erupt, Plus More

There’s nary measurement astir it: Illinois men's hoops losing cardinal pieces to nan transportation portal during nan Brad Underwood era has go an almost yearly affair. But we’re besides astatine a caller dawn of assemblage basketball, and practically each caput coach not named Matt Painter is stuck navigating nan analyzable maze of nan transportation portal.

Knowing that definite Illini players will ever go former Illini players who upwind up finishing their assemblage playing days connected immoderate different field – and often thriving location – it makes consciousness to wish them good and observe their accomplishments. So let's return a look astatine really each outgoing Illinois transportation from this past offseason is faring astatine his caller destination. Spoiler alert: All 4 person been connected caller heaters.

Former Illini hoops players thriving astatine their caller schools

Carey Booth, Colorado State

The 6-foot-10, ultra-springy Booth has recovered a location successful Fort Collins. He has scored successful double digits successful 3 of his past 4 outings, headlined by an awesome 19-point, 12-rebound showing – which included 3 made triples – successful a roadworthy triumph complete Grand Canyon.

He besides had a immense six-block outing against Nevada. Evolving into a existent two-way presence, Booth is averaging 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds connected bonzer shooting splits of 57.4 percent from nan field, 47.6 percent from heavy (on 1.2 threes per game) and 84.7 percent from nan free-throw line. (Take a look astatine Booth sending backmost erstwhile Illini teammate Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn's floater below.)

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, UNLV

A erstwhile – and arguably existent – Illini instrumentality favorite, Gibbs-Lawhorn plays pinch nan aforesaid occurrence and passion he showed successful Champaign, but he is displaying conscionable arsenic overmuch finesse successful Sin City. On nan heels of a 33-point detonation successful an overtime triumph against Boise State, Gibbs-Lawhorn is playing his champion shot of nan play correct now.

He has cracked double digits successful nan scoring file successful 15 retired of 16 games this play en way to averaging 17.3 points per game, and he is chipping successful 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals. To apical it off, his percentages person besides climbed from his Illinois days, arsenic he’s connecting connected 46.6 percent of his field-goal attempts and 35.1 percent of his threes (2.1 made per game).

Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

There is death, taxes and Morez Johnson Jr. being an absurdly businesslike violative subordinate and outstanding defender sloppy of nan sanction connected nan beforehand of his jersey. Johnson is starring nan Big Ten successful field-goal percent astatine 68.9 and scoring 14.2 points per crippled while snagging 6.5 rebounds and dishing retired 1.2 assists.

Johnson’s trademark two-way expertise has been successful afloat effect for Michigan, wherever he has tacked connected 0.9 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. The precocious numbers show an moreover much convincing story, arsenic Johnson ranks ninth successful nan Big Ten successful violative container plus/minus and 4th successful protect box/plus minus.

To adhd reproach to wounded (for Illini fans, that is), he is hitting 44.4 percent of his three-pointers (although connected less than 1 effort per game) and has seen his free-throw percent climb from 61.8 past twelvemonth to a very bully 80.4 successful nan 2025-26 season.

Tre White, Kansas

Another subordinate who would person been a valuable portion successful Illinois’ rotation, White has unexpectedly taken a colossal measurement guardant astatine Kansas. After averaging almost identical numbers crossed his first 3 assemblage campaigns, White unlocked a caller limb successful his arsenal – and it has been a game-changer: a accordant three-point shot.

He is hitting 1.8 triples per crippled astatine an astonishingly precocious clip of 44.9 percent. The 6-foot-7 White besides appears to person taken Underwood’s rebounding teachings to Lawrence, arsenic he’s averaging 7.2 rebounds per crippled – a awesome mean considering his size.

All successful all, White is averaging 15.4 points per game, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists arsenic nan 1b action connected a Kansas squad that is starting to travel around. The Jayhawks conscionable blasted No. 2 Iowa State 84-63 connected Tuesday nighttime down nary different than White, who had 19 points (including 5 threes), 10 rebounds and 3 assists.