DALLAS — Leading up to the NBA Draft, the talented trio of Michigan players who won an NCAA championship together in April liked to debate which one of them would hear their name called first.Would it be Yaxel Lendeborg, the freak-athlete forward who started in the junior college ranks? Or Aday Mara, the 7-foot-3 Spanish giant who was a gifted passer? What about Morez Johnson Jr., the Chicago-area native who was one of the most versatile and effective defensive players in all of college basketball last season?In a surprising twist, it was Johnson, whom the Dallas Mavericks selected at No. 9.Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz cited Johnson’s rebounding, switchability on defense and competitiveness as reasons for the selection. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Johnson came highly recommended by Dusty May, Johnson’s college coach at Michigan who was officially named the Mavericks head coach five hours before the draft began Tuesday.“What can I say, man? I am Dusty’s favorite, I guess,” Johnson said Thursday at the American Airlines Center.NBA Draft 2026: Winners and Losers from Round 1Zach Harper and CJ MooreJohnson averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in the 40 games he started for May at Michigan. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3 1/2 wingspan and weighing 250 pounds, Johnson has a unique blend of size and quickness on defense. He played power forward and center for the Wolverines, who went 37-3 and won their six NCAA Tournament games by an average margin of 19 points.“I would say my motor is unbelievable,” Johnson said. “Competitive. I can guard 1 through 5.”The Mavericks’ defensive ceiling with Johnson should be scary. They will have the option of rolling out enormous lineups that include Cooper Flagg, Johnson and Dereck Lively II, or they could go to a “smaller” look featuring Flagg in a point-forward role and Johnson at center.Johnson, 20, is 11 months older than Flagg and knows his game well. They competed against each other in camps and tournaments for years as elite high school prospects.Johnson said he thinks his experience playing alongside Lendeborg will help him adjust to fitting in next to Flagg.“I think it will be very similar to Michigan playing with Yax,” Johnson said. “Switching everything. Forcing a lot of turnovers and getting deflections.”Johnson’s ability to develop as a spot-up 3-point shooter could be an important skill. He didn’t attempt a single 3-pointer in his freshman season at Illinois. As a sophomore at Michigan, he occasionally showed that he could step behind the arc, converting 12 of 35 3s.The Mavericks clearly believe Johnson has untapped offensive potential.“I wouldn’t put a ceiling on a 20-year-old who has that rate of improvement,” Schmitz said. “To go from a young freshman to then transferring and having this type of impact already at that age. To have that tenacious mentality on the offensive glass. Being a vertical spacer. Being able to put the ball down a little in tight spaces. Just to see that rate of improvement signals there is more growth ahead on the offensive end.”Once the Mavericks’ selection was announced Tuesday, Johnson hugged Lendeborg and Mara and then embraced May before heading to the podium. His Michigan teammates didn’t have to wait long to hear their names called. The Golden State Warriors chose Lendeborg at No. 11, and then the Oklahoma City Thunder took Mara at No. 12.It said a lot that the Mavericks, fresh off hiring May, could have had any of the three and chose Johnson.“His defensive upside is incredibly high,” Schmitz said. “That’s a great fit in today’s game. We saw him play some 4, some 5 at the collegiate level. Really modern game on the defensive end of the floor.”