Michigan’s Mores Johnson Jr. Enters NBA Draft

Recently, the University of Michigan clinched the NCAA men’s basketball national championship by defeating UW. This win marked the program’s first title since 1989 and, shortly after, Michigan forward Mores Johnson Jr. announced he would declare for the NBA draft.

Even though Johnson declared, he’s still eligible to play in the NCAA. If he opts to return for his junior year, he must make a decision by May 27th. Previously, Johnson played for Illinois State in the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan State last year.

Upon his arrival at Michigan, Johnson quickly made a name for himself, finishing the season as the second-highest scorer for the team and leading in rebounds, averaging 7.3 per game. His coach, Dusty Maye, praised Johnson’s defensive skills, even labeling him an “enforcer” and a “junkyard dog.” Johnson earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team for his efforts.

Interestingly, while some analysts project him as a first-round pick, it’s not clear how the potential name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation would influence his choice to stay or go. Johnson has been active on social media, engaging with teammates who are debating whether to return to Michigan for future titles.

This week, the University of Michigan also welcomed a new player, Jalen Reed from LSU, who had limited playtime last season due to an Achilles tendon injury.