
Mavericks Draft Shock: Morez Johnson Jr. Goes Ninth
The Dallas Mavericks surprised many by choosing Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall pick, a move highlighted by ESPN as the draft’s most unexpected selection.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Cooper Flagg across Basketball.

The Dallas Mavericks surprised many by choosing Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall pick, a move highlighted by ESPN as the draft’s most unexpected selection.

Cameron Boozer becomes the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, joining a lineage of Duke alumni who have repeatedly cracked the league's elite selections.

Tobi Lawal, a graduate of Lee Academy in Maine, was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2026 NBA draft, marking the second Maine‑born player to wear the Mavericks jersey.

A look at the young players whose statistical trajectories and draft positions suggest they could become major contributors in fantasy leagues and on the court next season.

Morez Johnson Jr. was selected ninth overall by the Dallas Mavericks, reuniting him with former Michigan coach Dusty May and teammate Cooper Flagg. He brings a defensive reputation and national‑championship experience to Dallas.

In a draft night that surprised many, Dusty May introduced Morez Johnson Jr. to the Dallas Mavericks, a versatile 6‑foot‑11 defender whose blend of rebounding, shot‑blocking and shooting could reshape the team's interior.
After a two‑year stint that delivered a national title and a 64‑13 record, Dusty May is set to lead the Dallas Mavericks, where he will mentor 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. Michigan AD Warde Manuel praised his impact on the university.

With the NBA Draft looming, ESPN analyst Jeremy Woo predicts that forward Nate Ament could be selected ninth overall by the Dallas Mavericks, a move that would pair him with Cooper Flagg and reshape the franchise’s frontcourt.

After guiding Michigan to a national title, Dusty May left the Wolverines to become the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, a move that reflects the growing uncertainty facing college coaches in an era defined by name‑image‑likeness deals and the transfer portal.

Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer has declined a reported NBA overture, choosing to remain with the Blue Devils as they gear up for a high‑profile opening game.

The departure of Dusty May for the Dallas Mavericks raises questions about the future of the Michigan Wolverines program and the ripple effects across college basketball.

Since 1947, the NBA Draft has produced a parade of No. 1 overall selections, many of whom honed their games at top collegiate programs. This article traces the schools and high schools that have supplied the league’s most coveted first‑overall talents, spotlighting Duke’s six picks, the Cavaliers’ record six selections, and the rise of phenoms like Cooper Flagg.

ESPN’s latest mock draft places Tennessee’s freshman forward Nate Ament with the Dallas Mavericks at the ninth overall pick, envisioning a potential partnership with projected top‑pick Cooper Flagg and a strategy that keeps Kyrie Irving in Dallas.
After guiding Michigan to a 2026 NCAA title, Dusty May left for the Dallas Mavericks, highlighting the shifting dynamics of college basketball amid NIL deals and player movement.

Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer has turned down a reported overture from the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, choosing to stay with the Blue Devils as they prepare for a new season.

Dusty May’s move to the Dallas Mavericks has reignited speculation about Jon Scheyer’s future, but the Duke coach appears ready to remain in college basketball.

With the draft approaching, analysts see Ament as a potential immediate impact player for several contending franchises.

Despite a lucrative NBA overture, Jon Scheyer elected to remain at Duke, where he continues to shape a new generation of talent.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer turned down the Dallas Mavericks’ offer, choosing to remain with the Blue Devils and preserve the program’s momentum heading into a promising season.

Dusty May’s move to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks follows a historic national title, sparking fan backlash and raising questions about the future of Michigan basketball.

The upcoming 2026 NBA Draft will hinge on the trajectories of three Arkansas standouts, each linked to a different franchise seeking a specific piece of the puzzle.
Duke University's basketball program has produced 116 NBA draft selections, including six No. 1 overall picks, and remains a primary talent source for multiple franchises.
The 2026 NBA Draft began tonight in Brooklyn, spotlighting Arkansas' top prospects and their potential landing spots.
Todd Golden’s blend of championship success, data‑driven strategy and a loaded 2026‑27 roster has NBA teams watching closely, while his contract details and buyout timeline add intrigue to a potential transition.