Catching up with Thornton’s Morez Johnson Jr., who wins national title at Michigan and goes No. 9 in NBA draft
· Yahoo Sports
For Riverdale native Morez Johnson Jr. and his many local supporters, the last few months have been unforgettable.
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After winning a national championship at Michigan, Johnson — who graduated from Thornton and also starred at St. Rita — is ready to embark on his NBA career after becoming a top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
“In sixth or seventh grade, I set a goal and had a dream of coming to play in the NBA,” Johnson said in a post-draft press conference. “I felt like I’d be able to accomplish it my sophomore or junior year of high school.”
That goal was met on June 23 when the Dallas Mavericks selected Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward, with the ninth pick of the draft at the Barclays Center in New York.
With the Mavericks, Johnson will be reunited with his coach from Michigan, Dusty May, who took the head coaching job in Dallas the day before the draft.
Johnson confirmed he was stunned by the Mavericks choosing him.
“It was crazy,” he said. “I was not expecting that, especially with Dusty being here. I was truly caught off guard, but I’m truly blessed to be here, honored to be here and excited to be here.”
St. Laurence coach Roshawn Russell, who coached Johnson during his three seasons at St. Rita, was in New York for the draft.
“It was really special to see it come full circle,” Russell said. “Being a part of his high school journey, watching him through college and being there for him however he needed us to show up for him and now to hear his name called and to celebrate with his entire family, it was special.
“It’s something that may never happen for me again. I hope it does, but if it doesn’t, I’ll definitely take this one. This was priceless.”
Russell and his brother, Rashay, were also at the Final Four on April 6 in Indianapolis to see Johnson and the Wolverines beat UConn 69-63 in the national championship game. Johnson came through with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“We held the trophy and all that,” Russell said. “I’ve had a very cool couple of months, that’s for sure. To watch Morez win a national championship and then be there for the draft, it’s been great.
“As much as I can, I try to be there to support him.”
Johnson, who began his college career at Illinois before transferring to Michigan last fall, starred for three seasons at St. Rita before spending his senior year at his hometown school, Thornton.
He certainly made a huge impact in his brief time with the Wildcats, helping them win a sectional title and being named the 2024 Mr. Basketball of Illinois.
Thornton assistant coach Richie Thompson was tuned in on draft night.
“I was seeing some of the mocks that had him between 11 and 15 to Golden State, Charlotte or the Bulls,” Thompson said. “When it got to the Mavericks, I was still kind of waiting for a few picks later so to see Morez Johnson’s name pop up. It caught me by shock, but I was just super happy.
“To see him win a national championship and now this, everyone at Thornton and in Riverdale, where he’s from, everyone’s proud.”
Thompson and Russell both said Johnson is a fantastic role model for young players in the state.
“It’s super special in these times with the landscape of high school basketball in Illinois and guys taking opportunities wherever they can get them at prep schools and all of that,” Thompson said. “Morez played all four years in Illinois, played in the Catholic League, then came to Thornton.
“He’s shown that as a kid growing up in Riverdale, you can stay in Illinois and do anything you want to do.”