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The Dallas Mavericks selected Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 pick Tuesday in the NBA Draft. In his one season for the national champion Michigan Wolverines, Morez averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

Johnson possesses a terrific combination of strength and athleticism. He’s a powerful player who can move opponents bigger than he is and prevent them from establishing position against him. He’s not wildly explosive, but he can rise if he loads up off two feet. He’s light on his feet for a player who weighs 250 pounds and moves well laterally. He has a rare combination of mobility and strength.

Johnson could get stuck somewhere between the four and the five positions if his rim protection doesn’t play up and he doesn’t become a shooter, as he might be smaller for the five spot and not quite skilled enough for the four. He needs to keep improving his skill level and work on defending vertically without fouling. He’ll need to be elite in that regard, like the Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart, to thrive at the five. Otherwise, he could be more scheme-dependent.

Sam Vecenie’s draft guide summary

I’m a big fan of the versatility Johnson brings defensively, and it’s hard for me to see how he doesn’t end up being a useful player on a winning NBA team. He allows a team to play multiple coverages on defense and can help a team have flexibility to go big or small, depending on the roster around him. If you want to kill the glass, you should play him at the four. If you want to go smaller and more mobile, he should be able to deal with most centers at the five.

Johnson could expand his value if the 3-point jumper comes along. If a team could go five-out with Johnson at center, he would have a shot to close games in playoff situations. But the question is simply what kind of value Johnson will provide on offense, and if that will allow him to be more of a starting big or a third big. Even as a third big, I like the value proposition in the middle of the first round because I am willing to bet on Johnson’s character and toughness.

John Hollinger’s analysis

Johnson’s consistent production in a secondary role bodes well for what he can do as a third big at the NBA level, likely toggling between power forward and center. I’m not over the moon about his shooting form, but he made 78.2 percent from the line and shows promise as somebody who can make 3s from the corner as he develops.

Defensively, Johnson’s switchability has perhaps been overrated. He’s not prime Bam Adebayo, but he’s decent. That’s sort of the whole thing with Johnson: He doesn’t stand out in one category, but he’s solid across the board and should be playable immediately. It would help if he could be a full-time center, but at 6-9 in socks with an 8-11 standing reach, he may be a little short for that role.

Nonetheless, it’s pretty easy to see him fitting in as an Isaiah Stewart-type big, and the right tail outcome offers the upside of turning into an Al Horford-type big who can start at either power forward or center.

David Aldridge’s draft confidential

Western Conference executive No. 1: Plays so hard, rebounds. I think he’ll get better offensively. He has a man’s body right now. I think he’s going to be able to guard multiple positions, have some versatility. I’ve grown to like him. He really stepped up. He was a good player at Illinois, and he clearly went up several notches.

College assistant coach No. 3 (his team played Michigan): At the end of the year, he needed to finish his shots better rolling to the rim. Whether it was the length of people in the tournament or the competition being better, I don’t know. He’s got to develop a consistent perimeter shot, and they wanted him to take it. But the one thing this kid does is, he plays extremely hard. Runs the floor, is the point on their press. Guards multiple positions. He’s not afraid to switch screen-and-rolls. Plays with youthful enthusiasm. And he’s got a very high motor. If he learns how to play, get good angles in scoring opportunities, he’s a good roller. If he could score a little more, his ceiling is very good.

This story will be updated.