Grizzlies, Mavs, Spurs select front-court prospects in NBA draft
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 24, 2026, 4:13 AM
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
The Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs made significant selections in the NBA draft on June 23. Memphis selected Cameron Boozer third overall, while Dallas picked Morez Johnson Jr. at ninth. San Antonio added Jayden Quiantance with the 20th pick. Boozer, a Duke forward, aims to enhance Memphis’s rebounding alongside Zach Edey. Johnson, from Michigan, brings experience from winning an NCAA title, and Quiantance, who played for Kentucky, provides depth for the Spurs' frontcourt. Houston and New Orleans did not participate in the first round, lacking a trade option to enter the draft's opening round.
- •Memphis drafts Cameron Boozer, a Duke forward, third overall.
- •Dallas selects Morez Johnson Jr. from Michigan with the ninth pick.
- •San Antonio chooses Jayden Quiantance, a forward from Kentucky, at 20th.
- •Houston and New Orleans did not have first-round picks this year.
- •Grizzlies aim to improve rebounding with Boozer and Edey.
- 3:10 AMYahoo Sports — The NBA draft brings more paint presence to the Southwest Division with a plethora of big men
- 4:13 AMYahoo Sports — Grizzlies, Mavs and Spurs bring top front-court prospects to the Southwest Division in the NBA draft
"The NBA's Southwest Division could become a showcase next season for rookies who do their best work in the paint. Memphis took Duke forward Cameron Boozer third overall in the NBA draft Tuesday night and added forward Karim Lopez of Mexico later in the first round. The Dallas Mavericks used their top draft choice — at ninth overall — to select Morez Johnson Jr. from the reigning NCAA national champion Michigan Wolverines.
"The Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs brought three prominent front-court prospects to the Southwest Division in Tuesday night's first round of the NBA draft. Memphis took Duke forward Cameron Boozer third overall. Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. went to Dallas with the ninth overall draft choice.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 25, 2026, 3:10 AMThe NBA draft brings more paint presence to the Southwest Division with a plethora of big men
The NBA's Southwest Division could become a showcase next season for rookies who do their best work in the paint. Memphis took Duke forward Cameron Boozer third overall in the NBA draft Tuesday night and added forward Karim Lopez of Mexico later in the first round. The Dallas Mavericks used their top draft choice — at ninth overall — to select Morez Johnson Jr. from the reigning NCAA national champion Michigan Wolverines.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 4:13 AMGrizzlies, Mavs and Spurs bring top front-court prospects to the Southwest Division in the NBA draft
The Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs brought three prominent front-court prospects to the Southwest Division in Tuesday night's first round of the NBA draft. Memphis took Duke forward Cameron Boozer third overall. Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. went to Dallas with the ninth overall draft choice.
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