A handful of prospects have already boosted their stock early in NBA Combine week, which unfortunately lowers the odds of a high‑end talent slipping to the Charlotte Hornets. One standout who should still be on the board at either No. 14 or No. 18 is Michigan big man Morez Johnson Jr., who may be the biggest combine winner when it’s all said and done.
Morez Johnson Jr. is rapidly climbing draft boards
No matter how the Hornets play their cards on draft night, the odds are high they walk away with an impact player. This class is shaping up to be one of the deepest in recent memory, and Johnson looks like a seamless fit for what Charlotte needs.
Johnson has put together one of the most impressive combine performances so far. His measurements came in at 6’9”, 251 pounds, a 7’3.5” wingspan, and an 8’11” standing reach—numbers that place him right on the border between power forward and center. That positional flexibility matters for a team that needs more bigs to fill their depth.
But the athletic testing is what really turned heads. Johnson posted a 39-inch max vertical, one of the top marks of the day, and showcased surprising lateral quickness by beating several guard prospects in the pro lane drill. Being able to achieve that feat at that size is remarkable.
Add in the fact that he knocked down 68 percent of his attempts in the 3‑Point Star drill, and it becomes easy to imagine how his blend of power and explosiveness could translate in Charlotte. The Hornets want more physicality next season, and Michigan was one of the most bruising and physical teams in college basketball. Johnson fits that mold perfectly.
Johnson checks every box for what Charles Lee and Jeff Peterson want
Charlotte’s Play‑In loss to the Orlando Magic made one thing painfully clear: the Hornets need to match physicality with physicality. Johnson brings exactly that. His size, motor, and defensive versatility mirror the traits Moussa Diabate brings to the table—doing the dirty work, guarding multiple positions, and rebounding with force.
He isn’t projected as a lottery pick, but he’s the type of high‑floor, plug‑and‑play role player who raises a team’s floor. At No. 18, Johnson should be firmly in the conversation. His toughness, athleticism, and willingness to embrace the gritty parts of the game make him an ideal addition to a roster that desperately needs more guys like this.
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