Top prospects Morez Johnson Jr. and Chris Cenac Jr. worked out for the Golden State Warriors, signaling the team’s urgent need for frontcourt help. Both big men pitched their physicality and defensive versatility as the solution for an aging Golden State roster.
The Warriors are officially on the clock. Out of the playoffs and getting older by the minute, the front office knows it needs an injection of youth and energy. Fast. With the 11th pick just days away, they are hunting for size in the trenches.
Morez Johnson Jr., a 6-foot-9 forward from national champion Michigan, sees himself as the ultimate glue guy and connector. He brings a championship mentality built on pure hustle. “The second effort. Second, third, fourth effort, I think that’s a winner’s trait right there,” Johnson said. “Just showing you will do anything to win. Multiple efforts, not just trying one time and giving in. Just keep showing effort and being resilient.” He also stressed his role as a facilitator, not a primary scorer. He said: “[And] a connector on offense. Just trying to help everybody get to their spots, not trying to force anything, and being a great teammate.”
Chris Cenac Jr., a towering 6-foot-11 center from Houston, brings a different dimension but the same mindset. He’s all about creating room for the shooters. Cenac’s goal is “Giving all the guys on the team, Curry, space in the paint. And just showing defense. My matchup, defending, rebounding, and doing whatever it is that you know Steve Kerr and the organization would need me to do on the floor.” That non-stop motor was drilled into him by legendary coach Kelvin Sampson. “In every aspect of physicality,” Cenac explained. “Just how hard you plan, when you’re on the floor, bringing that intensity every single time you’re on the court. He prepared me very well, and I’m like, I made the right decision on Houston, for sure.”
The message is clear. After working out multiple bigs, the Warriors are done being small. They can’t afford to miss with this pick. Another year of being undersized simply won’t cut it as they try to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry’s prime.
