When Morez Johson was the first Michigan basketball player selected in the 2026 NBA draft, it turned some heads.
Dusty May explained it simply after the draft, saying that "we have Rez and they don't."
That was a constant theme during the season. It's something that made Michigan basketball confident that it could win on each and every night, which it nearly did, going 37-3 on its way to the program's first national title in 37 years.
Johnson, a full-time starter for the first time, was an essential presence on both ends of the floor for the Wolverines. His defense is spectacular. So is the rebounding. It's the offense of Johnson that leaves him with such a high ceiling, something we were reminded of on Thursday night with his NBA summer league debut for the Mavs.
The former Michigan teammates tonight
— Underdog (@Underdog) July 10, 2026
Morez Johnson:
27 PTS
8 REB
3 AST
3 STL/2 BLK
Yaxel Lendeborg:
21 PTS
10 REB
6 AST
Yaxel and the Warriors get the win pic.twitter.com/rH2RNyjdfq
Two Michigan stars shine bright in NBA Summer League
Squaring off against Yaxel Lendeborg and the Warriors, Johnson finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. Yaxel was stellar, too, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He shot the ball well from 3-point range, too.
Johnson made 12-of-17 shots from the field. Lendeborg has been averaging 17 points and seven rebounds, and is also shooting 67 percent from 3-point range.
This was Johnson's debut for the Mavs, but he looked the part of a top-10 pick. His offensive game was starting to come together with Michigan basketball last season. The 6-foot-11 forward/center even started shoot the 3-ball with confidence, something he also did at the NBA draft combine.
Both players have landed in a solid situation with teams expected to push for playoff spots next season. The Warriors have to be hoping that Yaxel helps reignite another title run, while the Mavericks are trying to build a title contender around Cooper Flagg.
Johnson was a great place to start. He's the perfect second or third superstar. Lendeborg could be, too. Neither player needs the ball to have a significant impact on the game. They can each do it on the defensive end, as we saw with Yaxel in the national championship game. Both players are also improving their offensive capabilities.
Yaxel might be 24, but he's not even close to realizing his full potential as a basketball player. Johnson, after his second season in college, the first as a starter, isn't either.
Thursday night was a reminder of that.
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