Michigan Mavs? Morez Johnson Jr. reunites with Dusty May in Dallas

Most of the early picks in the 2026 NBA Draft went exactly as many expected. But few anticipated the Dallas Mavericks' selection with the No. 9 overall pick.

Michigan big man Morez 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 coach Dusty May to be their head 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 the Charlotte Hornets with 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."

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.

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 join Cooper 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.