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By Matt Audilet
Contributing Sports Writer
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Dusty May took the podium for his introductory press conference as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, fielding a variety of questions.
May was asked about the Mavericks' decision to select Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft — reuniting him with one of the three Michigan players selected in the first round.
Many assumed that May had something to do with the Mavericks' choice to draft Johnson. But on Monday, the first-year NBA coach said he had no idea the team was going to pick his former player.
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“I had no idea we were drafting Rez. [Team president] Masai [Ujiri] texted me right when we decided to make the selection and I didn’t even see the message," May said during his press conference. "As far as the selection process, these guys are incredibly thorough. Even before this job looked like it was going to happen, they were asking me questions for days about all of our [Michigan] guys."
"I was just happy that we got one of the three," May concluded, referencing No. 11 overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg and No. 12 overall pick Aday Mara.
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Johnson should have an immediate impact for the Mavericks as they enter their first season with May at the helm.
"I have an advantage to know what to expect from him," Johnson said of playing for May earlier this week, via Cody Taylor of Rookie Wire. "But other than that, like playing time, Dusty is going to hold me accountable, hold me to a high standard and push me every day."
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"I think I'm an everyday guy," Johnson added. "I'm going to show up every day professional, ready to do my job and be a great teammate and great person. I'm a lead-by-example type of guy: be here early in the gym, last one to leave."
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