The NBA Draft is here, and Morez Johnson Jr. remains one of the most elite prospects to watch. Meanwhile, his shared last name caused some to wonder if he has a family connection to Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson.
What Is Morez Johnson Jr.’s Relationship to Magic Johnson?
To be fair, “Johnson” is one of the most common surnames in the United States, but when a rising talent like Morez starts making headlines while sharing a last name with a legend such as Magic, curiosity naturally follows. However, there is no family connection between Morez and Magic.
Magic is famously known for his standout career at Michigan State before becoming an NBA icon, while Morez began his college journey with the Illinois Fighting Illini before transferring to the Michigan Wolverines. Competing at a high level in Michigan might also have increased confusion among casual fans.
Meanwhile, Morez’s playing style and athletic ability have also fueled comparisons to other NBA legacies, as Cameron Boozer, son of Carlos Boozer, has become a notable draft prospect.
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This kind of speculation isn’t unique to basketball either. In football, Arch Manning, nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning, is drawing similar attention as a potential future top NFL Draft pick, which proves how famous surnames often lead to assumptions about lineage. However, in Morez’s case, there is no connection to Magic at all.
Magic has three children, Andre, EJ, and Elisa, none of whom pursued professional basketball. Meanwhile, Morez was raised by his parents, Natasha Jones and Morez Johnson Sr., and has a younger sister, Moriah Johnson.
As for Morez’s draft outlook, his stock continues to rise due to his two-way versatility and strong impact potential as a ready-made NBA contributor. In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Jeremy Woo projects him to go at No. 12 overall.
“There appears to be a strong market for Johnson’s services, with a wide range of teams interested in the mid-to-late lottery,” Woo wrote. “It remains to be seen how high he can climb on draft night, but he has wide appeal as a physical, plug-and-play rotation player who is just 20 years old.”
Woo also said the Oklahoma City Thunder’s recent roster maneuvering, including a trade involving Aaron Wiggins, helped open up flexibility for the offseason. While the Thunder could still move up in the draft, they are also well-positioned to stay at No. 12 or potentially trade pick No. 17 for future assets.
In his sophomore season at Michigan, Morez averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting an efficient 62.3% from the field.
