Michigan sophomore Morez Johnson Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, as first reported by Jon Rothstein.
The 6-foot-9 big man announced his intentions today after one season at Michigan. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game as a sophomore, helping Michigan to a National Championship and Big Ten Championship.
Johnson is projected by most outlets as a mid-first-round pick in this year’s draft and was instrumental in adding physicality to the No. 1 defense in college basketball.
The NBA Draft Combine is May 10th through 17th. The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft is May 27th, 10 days after the combine wraps up. Johnson gave a television interview to NBC Chicago after the season, in which he said his goal was to be a first-round pick and that he’d be open to returning to Michigan.
If he stays in the draft, Johnson would be the sixth departure from May’s second team in Ann Arbor.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Will Tschetter, Nimari Burnett, and Roddy Gayle Jr. are out of eligibility, while Winters Grady and Malick Kordel opted to enter the transfer portal.
The Wolverines have also already landed a commitment from Tennessee big man JP Estrella, Cincinnati big man Moustapha Thiam and LSU forward Jalen Reed to replenish the frontcourt.
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Erik_in_Dayton
We love you, Rez!
Diesmitty
Happy for Rez! Of course I would love him back but the joy he brought to Ann Arbor last year will never be forgotten.
MichHoops11
I realize this means he is not coming back. With that said, would we have the money or space if in a month if he did a 180 and decided he wanted to come back? I assume we could make the space work, but NIL wise I doubt we would have the funds at that point.
I do hope he gets drafted on the higher end of his projections.
giveansk1
Can certainly understand this. He already climbed the mountain and has as much upside risk as downside. Highly enjoyable player to watch and seems mature enough for NBA. And if he somehow comes back even better.
Diesmitty
Maybe if he works on his 3 point shot we can convince him he’s the new Yax and play him at the 3