INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 06: Morez Johnson Jr. #21 of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles the ball in the paint against Eric Reibe #12 of the UConn Huskies during the first half of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images After winning a national championship in his first season at Michigan, big man Morez Johnson Jr. is officially headed to the pros and is declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. He also, however, is retaining his collegiate eligibility for a possible return to Michigan.Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, source told @On3.
The 6-9 sophomore averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season and was a key piece in the Wolverines’ winning the national title.… pic.twitter.com/brJL0M6bCv— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 24, 2026After transferring over from Illinois last offseason, Johnson played in all 40 games this season and averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three. He also put together one heck of a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in the National Championship vs UConn.Morez Johnson collects the put back 🪣#MarchMadness@umichbballpic.twitter.com/tNspJPDJsT— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2026Johnson is projected to go in the later portion of the first-round.
He does have the ability to come back to college for another year, so we’ll see if May and the Wolverines are able to put an NIL deal on the table that would at least be comparable to what he is projected to earn in the NBA as a first-year player.Johnson is the first Wolverine to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft: fellow big man Aday Mara still has a decision to announce, but it’s likely he will also declare for the draft. We wish Johnson nothing but the best at the NBA level if he decides to stay in the draft.