Morez Johnson Drafted By Mavericks At No. 9

An Illinois native, Johnson began his college career with the Fighting Illini, but transferred to Michigan for his sophomore season and had a big season for the Wolverines, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game while knocking down 62.3% of his field goal tries.

Johnson claimed a spot on the All-Big Tean second team, as well as the conference’s All-Defensive team, and helped Michigan earn its first national championship since 1989. The 6’9″ forward established himself as a first-round pick over the course of the Wolverines’ 37-3 season and improved his draft stock further during the pre-draft process, registering a 7’3.5″ wingspan and an 8’11” standing reach at May’s combine.

While he’s somewhat undersized for the five and doesn’t have a dynamic offensive game at this point in his development, Johnson is a tough, athletic, and versatile player who has proven to be a winner, notes ESPN’s Jeremy Woo. Besides winning a national title with the Wolverines, he earned gold medals with Team USA at the 2024 Under-18 AmeriCup and the 2025 U-19 World Cup.

Johnson’s selection is the first mild surprise of the draft — he was projected to go a little later in the lottery but the fact that Dallas hired his college coach certainly helped his chances of going in the top 10.

Johnson should jump right into a frontcourt rotation and eventually earn a starting role at forward alongside franchise player Cooper Flagg. He’ll provide some much-needed muscle and defense in a big man rotation that was often banged up last season. P.J. Washington (56 games), Daniel Gafford (55) and Dereck Lively (7) missed chunks of last season and, of course, Anthony Davis was dealt to the Wizards.