Heading into the 2026 NBA draft, Michigan‘s Morez Johnson Jr. is largely seen as a mid-first-round pick, going after No. 25 but in the first round.
But, following his appearance and showing at the NBA combine this past week in Chicago, NBA scouts should wake up to this player’s potential.
The sophomore Michigan forward had a strong showing during the Wolverines’ NCAA championship victory, but he hasn’t been seen as a top-five talent in the upcoming draft. While Johnson won’t eclipse someone like Cameron Boozer, his draft stock did go up during the NBA Combine.
In a post-Combine feature for the NBA’s official website, Krysten Peek notes that Johnson “looked incredible during the agility testing while measuring better than expected” at the week-long event.
As for measurements, Johnson’s height in socks was 6-foot-9, following being listed as 6-foot-10 at Michigan, and he has a 7-foot-3 1/2 wingspan.
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“Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 25 minutes on the court and was efficient playing alongside other bigs, notably Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg,” Peek adds. “Johnson won a gold medal with Team USA last summer at the U19 FIBA World Cup and was a primary connector on the team given the way he played on both sides of the ball, including an ability to defend the switch and drop coverage.”
Peeks continues: “There is a lot of one-and-done freshman talent projected towards the top of the Draft and with his measurables at the combine, Johnson could be one of the first non-freshman off the board.”
Why Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is a Player to Watch
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While the freshmen usually get all the attention in the draft, Johnson is certainly making waves for all the right reasons. He brings experience from playing longer in college hoops, and he also brings the experience that comes from winning a championship with Michigan. That combined with his NBA Combine showing should inch him up the ladder.