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Three Michigan Players Drafted in First Round of 2026 NBA Draft
The three transfers powered Michigan to a national title and made the school one of five programs with three lottery picks in one draft.
- On Tuesday, three Michigan Wolverines were selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Morez Johnson Jr. went ninth to the Dallas Mavericks, Yaxel Lendeborg 11th to the Golden State Warriors, and Aday Mara 12th to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- The trio propelled the Wolverines to a 37-3 record and their first national championship in 37 years this past spring. Their success helped Michigan place three players among the top 14 lottery selections, a feat previously unmatched in program history.
- Lendeborg led the team with 15.1 points per game and was named Big Ten Player of the Year, while defensive standout Mara recorded 2.6 blocks per game. Johnson, known as the team's "junkyard dog," averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
- Johnson reunited with former head coach Dusty May by joining the Mavericks after being selected ninth. May, present at the draft, selected his former player, highlighting the strong bond formed during Michigan's championship-winning season.
- The Wolverines face a transition period after their most successful season in 50 years concluded with these historic selections, as the departure of the program's top three stars and May leaves a significant void. Michigan joined only five programs in NBA history to produce three lottery picks in a single draft.
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10 Articles
Michigan basketball’s championship season ends with historic NBA draft milestone
For the first time in 36 years, three University of Michigan players were selected in the first round of the NBA draft, further cementing the Wolverines’ place among college basketball’s elite talent producers.
·Detroit, United States
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 44%
C 56%
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