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Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) and guard Nimari Burnett (4) celebrate after their win against the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament between the and the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Morez Johnson Jr. was a surprise to some when the Dallas Mavericks took him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
He was expected to be a first-rounder, but going before his Michigan teammates Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara wasn't the expectation.
Johnson's game felt like it might be lacking some of the perimeter skill that most players need in the modern NBA -- but by the same token, his own college coach Dusty May had just joined the Mavs, so there was an extra comfort level there.
And regardless of what the doubters said then, Johnson is already doing his best to silence them now.
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He had a monster Summer League debut on Thursday night in Las Vegas, despite a loss to Lendeborg and the Warriors.
Johnson led the Mavericks with 27 points, the only player on Dallas with more than 15.
He shot 12-for-17 from the floor and wasn't shy from trying to work on his game beyond the arc, going 1-for-4 from 3-point range. He made both free throws he attempted.
Johnson added eight rebounds and three assists.
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The skills that might make him a game-changing player were also on display: Johnson had three steals and two blocks.
If he makes it, it'll be because Johnson fills the stat sheet and contributes all over the floor. It's just Summer League, but the first look at the Mavs' first-round rookie was a good one for believing in his potential future.
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