Former Illinois Forward Morez Johnson Jr. Drafted No. 9 by Dallas Mavericks

The path wasn’t exactly what many Illinois fans envisioned when Morez Johnson Jr. arrived in Champaign. But on Wednesday night, Johnson Jr. reached the destination every college basketball player dreams about.

The Dallas Mavericks selected the former Illinois and Michigan forward with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, capping a breakout season that elevated him from a talented prospect to one of the most coveted frontcourt players in the country.

The selection also creates one of the most intriguing storylines of the draft. Just days after hiring Dusty May as head coach, the Mavericks reunited him with one of the key players from Michigan’s national championship run. Johnson Jr. spent the 2025-26 season playing under May in Ann Arbor, where he blossomed into one of the nation’s most impactful two-way forwards.

Sometimes, NBA organizations spend years trying to find players who fit a coach’s vision. Dallas already knows exactly what it is getting.

Johnson Jr. averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 62.3 percent from the field. He earned Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors and helped lead Michigan to a national championship while earning NCAA All-Tournament Team recognition.

Why Morez Johnson Jr. was an NBA Lottery pick

But Johnson Jr’s value extends beyond the box score. What NBA evaluators love most about him is his willingness to embrace the dirty work. He rebounds, defends multiple positions, sets physical screens, protects the rim, and consistently makes winning plays. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he has the strength to battle traditional big men while possessing enough mobility to defend in space.

That versatility should make him an ideal fit alongside young Dallas superstar Cooper Flagg. While Flagg often commands attention with his offensive skill set and playmaking ability, Johnson Jr. gives the Mavericks another high-level defender capable of guarding multiple positions and doing the physical work necessary to win deep in the playoffs.

For Illinois fans, there may always be some curiosity about what Johnson Jr.’s career in Champaign could have become.

Instead, his journey took him to Michigan, a national championship, and now the NBA lottery. And now Morez gets a chance to continue his development with a coach who already knows exactly how to get the best out of him.

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