Morez Johnson Jr. Reunites With Dusty May as Mavericks Select Him No. 9 Overall

Less than six hours after the Dallas Mavericks officially introduced Dusty May as their new head coach Tuesday, they drafted one of his former players with their first NBA draft pick. Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. was selected at No. 9 overall, reuniting with May and becoming the first of three Wolverines players selected among the lottery picks.

Johnson, measuring 6-foot-9, started 40 games last season and helped lead Michigan to the national championship. After transferring from Illinois, he averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds as a sophomore while establishing himself as one of the linchpins of Michigan’s dominant defense.

He had long been projected as a late first-round pick through much of the predraft process but boosted his stock dramatically in the final weeks leading up to the draft. When asked about the reunion with May, Johnson explained that he was both surprised and excited.

“I was insanely shocked when I saw Dusty was going to be coach of the Mavs. I did not see it coming at all,” he said. “And now for him to be my coach again, I’m excited. It’s insane. We just won a national championship together. I can’t wait to get there and go to work with him again and ultimately win again.”

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Johnson also mentioned his enthusiasm about playing alongside Cooper Flagg, who was last season’s Rookie of the Year. “I think it can get dangerous, us two on the court at the same time,” Johnson said. “I’ve been playing against Coop for a very long time. I’m very excited and happy that I’m on the same side as him.”

Two selections later, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was chosen by the Golden State Warriors with the No. 11 pick. Lendeborg, a versatile 6-foot-9 forward, earned consensus All-American honors and was named Big Ten Player of the Year after averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. A native of New Jersey, he began his college career at Arizona Western at the junior college level before playing two years at UAB and finishing at Michigan.

During his time at UAB, Lendeborg primarily played center, but after withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft at the early-entry deadline, he joined May at Michigan, where he transitioned to small forward and developed into a lottery pick. When interviewed on ESPN, Lendeborg described his emotions about the selection.

“Every emotion possible,” he said. “I don’t deserve to be here right now. Didn’t have a traditional path. I can’t believe it.”

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Lendeborg also credited his mother, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, for motivating him to succeed. “That kid got here because of her,” Lendeborg told ESPN while seated next to her. “She pushed a dream. Forced me to go out there and step into the world and become a man. I had no choice but to go out there and do the best I could.”

Right after Lendeborg’s pick, Aday Mara went No. 12 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 7-foot-3 center from Spain was described as possibly the most skilled center in the class and one of college basketball’s elite defensive players last season.

Mara began his college career at UCLA before transferring to Michigan, where he flourished as a junior. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. Speaking on the ESPN broadcast, Mara reflected on his basketball journey.

“Everything that I’ve done during my life since I was a kid, going to college, playing pro in Spain, all these things that really helped me to get where I’m at,” he said. “I’m really happy that I did it.”

According to ESPN Research, Michigan became the third reigning champion since 1985 to produce three lottery picks in the same draft. The Mavericks later capped the first round by selecting Arizona forward Koa Peat with the 30th pick.

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