Draft Profile: Marquese Chriss

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If you look back one year ago, Marquese Chriss was not likely projected to be one of the top players selected in this year’s NBA Draft, considering he didn’t even crack the top 50 on most recruiting websites for the high school class of 2015. Now, there is a much different outlook for the 18-year-old forward. He thrust himself onto the scene at the University of Washington this season, wowing with his incredible athleticism and well-rounded offensive skillset. And just like that, he’s now projected in many mock drafts to be a top-10 selection on June 23.

Possessions Scouted from 2015-16 Season:
OFFENSE: 20.6 percent of possessions
DEFENSE: 27.2 percent of possessions

Marquese Chriss might wind up being the most complete offensive player in this Draft, although he may not become the highest-scoring player in this Draft. He has small forward skills but owns a natural power forward body. He’s incredibly fluid for his size, yet still possesses the strength of a big man. He can do it all on offense. He is very capable of taking the ball off the dribble and does so with a nice handle and a very quick first step, particularly for his position. He is very comfortable operating in the post and has nice touch around the rim. Chriss is an explosive leaper, but he needs to learn to lay the ball in for the easy two rather than attempt a difficult slam. He was a respectable 3-point shooter in college. That will eventually hold true from NBA distance, and he will be even better from 15-20 feet. He’s an efficient catch-and-shoot big with a quick release. Chriss is willing to play physical down low and owns a strong body. He has a really nice feel for the game at the offensive end. Chriss is athletic and agile enough that his Washington team felt comfortable with him switching onto guards, and he held his own in such scenarios. He transfers his weight well. He gets his feet crossed from time to time but that is correctable. Chriss is also a dangerous shot blocker from the weak side. That will translate to the league. He must get stronger and learn to play solid defense without committing fouls. The good news is that many of his fouls are out of effort, and not necessarily poor play.

Marquese Chriss was born on July 2, 1997 in Sacramento, Calif. He attended Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif., where, as a senior, he averaged 21.9 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. Rivals ranked him as the No. 56 recruit in the nation for the class of 2015, while ESPN ranked him No. 60. Chriss attended the University of Washington for one season and averaged 13.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for the Huskies. He had one of the top freshman campaigns in program history, finishing with the fourth-most points by a freshman (467), fifth-most rebounds (183), and the most blocks (55). It didn’t take him long to break onto the college hoops scene as he tallied 29 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in the second game of the season against Mount St. Mary’s. He recorded 27 points and 11 boards during Washington’s NIT first round win over Long Beach State University. His 3-point shooting improved greatly as the season went on – he shot 6-for-26 (23.1 percent) from beyond the arc during the first 19 games of the season, and went 15-for-34 (44.1 percent) during the last 15 contests. Chriss ranked fifth in the Pac-12 in blocks and fourth in effective field goal percentage (56.1 percent). He also led the nation in personal fouls with a total of 138 and an average of 4.1 per game. He fouled out of 15 of the 34 games he appeared in, including a stretch of six straight disqualifications from Jan. 9 to Jan. 28. Chriss and teammate Dejounte Murray both declared for the NBA Draft on March 23.