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Three Michigan players drafted in first round of 2026 NBA Draft
By Kellen Voss at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 24, 2026
· 4 min read
After leading the Michigan men's basketball team to it's first national championship in 37 years, three former Wolverines have been selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.Forward Morez Johnson Jr. was drafted with the No. 9 pick by the Dallas Mavericks, forward Yaxel Lendeborg was draf...
Key takeaway It's the first time that three Wolverines have been taken in the same draft since 2014 (Nik Stauskas at No.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The draft of three Michigan players in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is a significant boost to the local basketball community, reflecting the strong talent and coaching that has come to define the Michigan men's basketball team. With Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara moving on to the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Oklahoma City Thunder respectively, Detroit area fans will have plenty of opportunities to follow their progress in the NBA. The fact that Johnson will be reunited with former Michigan coach Dusty May, now with the Dallas Mavericks, adds a layer of local interest to his transition to the professional league. As the community celebrates this achievement, it will also be watching how the Wolverines regroup under interim head coach Mike Boynton, and whether they can maintain their momentum in the upcoming season.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After leading the Michigan men's basketball team to it's first national championship in 37 years, three former Wolverines have been selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.Forward Morez Johnson Jr. was drafted with the No. 9 pick by the Dallas Mavericks, forward Yaxel Lendeborg was draf...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kellen Voss at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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