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After wearing No. 21 for much of his basketball career, Morez Johnson Jr. will have a new look on the court, starting next season with the Dallas Mavericks.
Johnson sported No. 21 in high school for his first three years at St. Rita of Cascia in Illinois. He kept it as a freshman at Illinois and for last season as a sophomore at Michigan, en route to helping the Wolverines to their second national title.
With No. 21 occupied by Daniel Gafford, Johnson was forced to make a change upon joining the Mavericks. He ultimately went with No. 14 as a nod to his parents.
"Both of my parents’ birthdays are the seventh, one in June and one in October," Johnson said during his introductory press conference on June 25. "Three 7s are good luck, and 21 is taken; seven is taken. I wore 12 my senior year because 21 wasn’t available, and I don’t know, I just chose 14.”
Johnson was a second-team All-Big Ten selection last season, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks while shooting 62.3% from the field in 40 games. He ranked 12th in the country in box plus-minus (plus-11.8) and 16th in offensive rating (135.4).
The 6-foot-9 forward logged two appearances with the Mavericks in summer league, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, three blocks, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists. He debuted with a 27-point, eight-rebound performance on July 9.
Johnson established himself as a lottery pick because of his motor, competitiveness and defensive versatility. He is excited to play again for his former coach at Michigan, Dusty May, and the team is excited about his potential on the court.
Note: Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA.
Previous: AJ Dybantsa | Darryn Peterson | Cameron Boozer | Caleb Wilson | Keaton Wagler | Mikel Brown Jr. | Darius Acuff Jr. | Kingston Flemings
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Mavericks' Morez Johnson Jr. explains reason behind new jersey number
Continue reading...
Johnson sported No. 21 in high school for his first three years at St. Rita of Cascia in Illinois. He kept it as a freshman at Illinois and for last season as a sophomore at Michigan, en route to helping the Wolverines to their second national title.
With No. 21 occupied by Daniel Gafford, Johnson was forced to make a change upon joining the Mavericks. He ultimately went with No. 14 as a nod to his parents.
"Both of my parents’ birthdays are the seventh, one in June and one in October," Johnson said during his introductory press conference on June 25. "Three 7s are good luck, and 21 is taken; seven is taken. I wore 12 my senior year because 21 wasn’t available, and I don’t know, I just chose 14.”
Johnson was a second-team All-Big Ten selection last season, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks while shooting 62.3% from the field in 40 games. He ranked 12th in the country in box plus-minus (plus-11.8) and 16th in offensive rating (135.4).
The 6-foot-9 forward logged two appearances with the Mavericks in summer league, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, three blocks, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists. He debuted with a 27-point, eight-rebound performance on July 9.
Johnson established himself as a lottery pick because of his motor, competitiveness and defensive versatility. He is excited to play again for his former coach at Michigan, Dusty May, and the team is excited about his potential on the court.
Note: Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA.
Previous: AJ Dybantsa | Darryn Peterson | Cameron Boozer | Caleb Wilson | Keaton Wagler | Mikel Brown Jr. | Darius Acuff Jr. | Kingston Flemings
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Mavericks' Morez Johnson Jr. explains reason behind new jersey number
Continue reading...
