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Michigan becomes 3rd team to make this NBA Draft history since 1985
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- Michigan becomes 3rd team to make this NBA Draft history since 1985
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Michigan basketball reignited its league pipeline on Tuesday in the 2026 NBA Draft. Especially one day after losing head coach Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks. The defending national champions have hit a feat not seen since 1985.
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May's last official Wolverines team produced the following picks: Morez Johnson Jr. at ninth overall to Dallas, Yaxel Lendeborg 11th overall to the Golden State Warriors and Aday Mara as the 12th selection with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This makes Michigan only the third championship team in draft history to produce three different first rounders.
This accomplishment is proof May knew how to land and mold talent via the transfer portal and recruiting trail. Lendeborg arrived as a UAB transfer, Mara came from UCLA while Johnson landed via Big Ten rival Illinois. But all three enter the league after leading Michigan to its first national title since the 1989 season.
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Michigan's stellar draft night came with one head-turning moment, though.
Many fans and analysts hailed Lendeborg as the best draft prospect from Ann Arbor. He especially earned praise for his versatility on the floor as a post scorer and defender. Except Johnson Jr. becomes the Michigan selection from May, leaving fans bewildered that the ex-Wolverines coach would pass on his lead scorer.
"This feels a little high to me," college basketball insider Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports said during the draft night coverage .
Johnson gets to team with last year's top overall pick Cooper Flagg in Dallas, with the intent of recreating a championship contender. Lendeborg teams with Draymond Green in the front court while Mara brings a needed rim protector to OKC.
Related: Michigan basketball makes program history with 3 NBA Draft Lottery picks
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