Michigan Mavs? Morez Johnson Jr. reunites with Dusty May in Dallas
Story by
Michigan Mavs? Morez Johnson Jr. reunites with Dusty May in Dallas
Jack McKessy, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Most of the early picks in the2026 NBA Draftwent exactly as many expected. But few anticipated theDallas Mavericks' selection with the No. 9 overall pick.
Michigan big manMorez Johnson Jr.rarely appeared in the top 10 picks of NBA mock drafts ahead of the first round. On the same day the Mavericks officially hired former Michigan head coachDusty Mayto betheirhead coach, Johnson learned he'd be reuniting with May as Dallas' first-round pick in the NBA draft.
His selection at No. 9 overall is higher than where USA TODAY Sports'Bryan Kalbrosky predicted. Kalbrosky's latest mock draft prediction sent Johnson to theCharlotte Hornetswith the No. 14 overall pick, though he wrote that the former Wolverine "should have interest as high as No. 9 overall," given his connection to May.
On reuniting with his college head coach, Johnson said, "Man, it's insane. The Michigan Mavs now."
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before theNBA Draftat Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after h is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after he is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
AJ Dybantsa is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
Cameron Boozer awaits the start of Round One.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
Caleb Wilson poses with family prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
Chris Cenac Jr. poses for a photo with Kelvin Sampson prior to Round One.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
Mikel Brown Jr. awaits the start of Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
An interior view of Barclays Center prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Caleb Bowlin, Getty Images)
1/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before theNBA Draftat Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
1/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before theNBA Draftat Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after h is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
3/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after he is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
4/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
AJ Dybantsa is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
5/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
6/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Cameron Boozer awaits the start of Round One.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
7/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Caleb Wilson poses with family prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
8/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Chris Cenac Jr. poses for a photo with Kelvin Sampson prior to Round One.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
9/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Mikel Brown Jr. awaits the start of Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
10/10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
An interior view of Barclays Center prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Caleb Bowlin, Getty Images)
Johnson began his college career at Illinois before joining May and the Wolverines last year via the transfer portal. As part of Michigan's title-winning squad, Johnson succeeded on both ends of the floor, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Illinois native saw his draft stock rise quickly after showing out at the NBA combine, displaying his agility and putting up a 39-inch max vertical in front of team scouts and executives.
Johnson will now joinCooper Flagg, the Mavericks' No. 1 overall pick from last year, in Dallas' frontcourt.
In total, three Michigan players were lottery picks in this year's draft – the most in the history of the Wolverines' program. After Johnson went No. 9 overall,Yaxel Lendeborg(Warriors) and Aday Mara (Thunder) went consecutively with the No. 11 and No. 12 overall picks, respectively.
