As the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, forward Morez Johnson Jr. joins the Dallas Mavericks after a productive sophomore year at Michigan.
Johnson was a second-team All-Big Ten selection last season, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks while shooting 62.3% from the field in 40 games. He ranked 12th in the country in box plus-minus (plus-11.8) and 16th in offensive rating (135.4).
The 20-year-old Johnson helped the Wolverines to their second national title last season as a defensive anchor for the group. He was one of three players to start and play in every game, along with guard Elliot Cadeau and forward Nimari Burnett.
Along with Yaxel Lendeborg (11th pick) and Aday Mara (12th pick), Johnson was among three
former Wolverines drafted in the first round this year. It marked just the second time in program history that Michigan had three first-round picks in the same draft (1990).
The 6-foot-9 Johnson logged two appearances with the Mavericks in summer league, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, three blocks, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists. He debuted with a 27-point, eight-rebound performance on July 9.
Johnson established himself as a lottery pick because of his motor, defensive versatility and length, boasting a 7-foot, 3 1/2-inch wingspan. The team was ecstatic to add him to the roster and is excited to see how he can affect games on both ends of the court.
Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season
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High School
Johnson was the 2024 Illinois Mr. Basketball and the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Thornton Township High School. He led the Wildcats to a 25-9 record, averaging 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Lego Sets
Johnson has often shared his affinity for building Lego sets as an off-court hobby to relax and clear his mind. He recently revealed that his favorite one so far is the PAC-MAN Arcade set, which comes with 2,651 pieces. During his introductory press conference, he said that he was excited to link up with new teammate and noted Lego enthusiast Dereck Lively II.
No. 14
Johnson wore No. 21 in high school and college, but he had to change it when he joined the Mavericks because it was occupied by Daniel Gafford. He ultimately went with No. 14 as a nod to his parents.
"Both of my parents’ birthdays are the seventh, one in June and one in October," Johnson said during his introductory press conference on June 25. "Three 7s are good luck, and 21 is taken; seven is taken. I wore 12 my senior year because 21 wasn’t available, and I don’t know, I just chose 14.”
Tai Streets
Johnson played his senior season at Thornton Township High School under coach Tai Streets, who was a former football (1995-98) and basketball (1997) player at Michigan. During his six years in the NFL, Streets began coaching basketball in the offseason and launched MeanStreets on the AAU circuit in 2001, where Johnson also played. Past alumni include Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, Patrick Beverly, Tyler Ulis, Darius Bazley and Kendrick Nunn, among others.
USA Basketball
Playing alongside the likes of AJ Dybantsa, Mikel Brown Jr. and Koa Peat, Johnson helped USA Basketball win the gold medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Sweden. He also won a gold medal with the U.S. in the 2024 FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Argentina.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Mavs' Morez Johnson Jr. before rookie season
