Former Illinois big man Morez Johnson Jr. dominated in his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday night. Johnson Jr. finished with 27 points and eight rebounds, shooting an impressive 12-for-17 from the field in 32 minutes.
The Mavericks fell to the Warriors, who were led by Johnson’s former Michigan teammate Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg and Johnson Jr. picked up right where they left off in college, with both scoring more than 20 points for their new teams.
It surprised many when the Dallas Mavericks selected former Illinois and Michigan big man Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He climbed draft boards more than almost anyone after a stellar performance at the NBA Draft Combine.
Morez reunited with his former coach, Dusty May, at Michigan following the Wolverines’ historic season. Michigan finished 37-3 while winning both the Big Ten regular-season title and the NCAA National Championship.
The Mavericks selected Morez in the lottery and expect him to become an important piece of their future. He was one of the best defensive players in college basketball last season, and that ability appears to be translating quickly to the NBA. In his Summer League debut, he added three steals and two blocks while making his presence felt on both ends of the floor.
At just 20 years old, Johnson still has plenty of room to develop offensively. Against the Warriors, he attempted four three-pointers and knocked down one of them. He also finished with three assists, showcasing the versatility that made him such an intriguing NBA prospect.
Although Johnson and the Mavericks couldn’t get past Lendeborg and the Warriors, he looked every bit like a player capable of contributing in Dallas sooner rather than later.
Morez Johnson Jr. in College
It comes as no surprise that Morez Johnson Jr. looks ready for the next level after the season he put together at Michigan. He earned Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors and was named Second Team All-Big Ten while helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship. Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds across 40 games.
Before transferring to Michigan, Johnson spent one season at Illinois. The Harvey, Illinois, native committed to the Illini early in high school and arrived in Champaign with lofty expectations after winning Illinois Mr. Basketball and playing in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. His lone season with the Illini didn’t unfold the way he had hoped, as he was looking for a larger role.
Johnson started eight games and averaged 17.6 minutes per contest as a freshman.
“I just didn’t think that was a place for me in my development,” Johnson said.
Believing Illinois was no longer the best fit for him, Johnson transferred to Big Ten rival Michigan. He was booed inside the State Farm Center and faced criticism from Illini fans on social media throughout the season. By the end of the year, however, he had helped Michigan win a national championship and turned himself into a lottery pick.
For Illinois fans, there will always be a sense of “what could have been” with Morez Johnson Jr. But he’s now in the NBA, and after an outstanding Summer League debut, he’s already showing why the Mavericks made him a top-10 selection.
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