The Michigan basketball roster for next season is nearly complete. There is one spot left, and right now, Dusty May is saving it for Morez Johnson.
The 6-foot-11 forward/center, declared for the NBA draft after helping the Wolverines win their first national championship in 37 years after transferring from Illinois.
Johnson played a vital role in Michigan's championship defense. He's a tremendous rebounder, especially on the offensive glass, and can switch onto guards, while being able to guard fours and fives.
Johnson also developed a solid low-post game and shot 34 percent from 3-point range last season. The offensive upside is there. It could be realized this season at Michigan if Johnson came back; however, it's looking more and more like a pipe dream.
CBS Insider predicts that Morez Johnson will stay in the NBA draft
Dusty May said earlier this week that Johnson was going to have a difficult decision to make. With the way that Johnson has played, and with the way his draft stock seems to be soaring, the decision might not be that difficult.
There has been chatter that all three Michigan basketball players in the draft, Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Johnson, could be lottery picks. If that's the projection, even May would tell Johnson that he needs to stay in the NBA draft.
CBS college basketball insider Isaac Trotter wrote an article on Wednesday that broke down all of the NBA draft decisions. He's predicting that Johnson will stay in the draft ultimately, which will leave the Wolverines with one last roster spot to fill.
May said the ceiling will be higher with Johnson, obviously. but if the Wolverines miss on him, if there a player out there with that same sort of potential?
Allen Graves is a name Michigan fans have been clamoring for, but there hasn't been any reported connections between him and the Wolverines. Trotter called him an LSU lean, essentially, if he comes back. Will Wade coached his brother, so there is a connection there.
Hamad Mousa of Cal Poly is another name to know. The 6-foot-8 combo guard has upside and raw potential, but isn't on the same level as a player like Johnson, although some new targets could emerge if there is another player who withdraws from the NBA that May feels would fit.
Michigan certainly won't lack for NIL funds with the money set aside for Johnson, so the Wolverines can go big-game hunting.
Add us as a preferred source on Google