2016 NBA Draft Prospects: Breaking Down Future of Washington’s Marquese Chriss

Washington’s Marquese Chriss didn’t start the year viewed as a one-and-done, possible lottery pick. That’s how he finished it after putting together a season full of exciting flashes and surprising consistency. 

He also went out with a bang, having averaged 20.8 points over his final four games. 

Chriss, who doesn’t turn 19 years old until July, will essentially be looking to sell himself based mostly on potential. He was still only moderately productive for a team that lost in the second round of the NIT. 

However, his flashy upside could look extra attractive in 2016, given the perceived lack of star power and depth in this year’s field. He’s already hired an agent and should generate plenty of buzz during the predraft process. 

Relevant Stats 

In a lineup led by two ball-dominant guards, Chriss averaged 13.8 points a game, or 22.1 per 40 minutes. The more impressive number, however, was his 56.8 percent two-point clip. Despite lacking both polish and strength, he managed to stay efficient inside the arc. 

But he was also relatively accurate around the perimeter, having sunk 21 of 60 three-point attempts and 43.9 percent of his two-point jumpers (includes every two-pointer away from the rim), per Hoop-Math.com.

On the negative side, his rebounding numbers were significantly low, particularly at the defensive end. (More on that later.) 

Strengths

World-class athleticism ultimately acts as the driving force behind Chriss’ enticing upside. The bounciest prospect in the draft, he is a stud athlete with superhero-like leaping ability. His springs and coordination translate to easy buckets above the rim off misses (46 putbacks in 34 games, per Hoop-Math.com), lobs, pick-and-rolls, catch-and-finishes and fast breaks. 

He’ll obviously need to get stronger, but his 6’9″ height and 7’0″ wingspan check out at power forward. Meanwhile, his quickness and encouraging perimeter game suggest he could eventually play minutes on the wing, where his size and length will be tough for 3s to match. 

Chriss’ 35 percent three-point clip won’t win any awards, but his jumper leaves room for optimism. His stroke and mechanics look clean and fluid, and he’s shown he can convert off spot-ups, pull-ups or specialty shots out of the post.

In doses, we’ve seen him knock down one-dribble stop-and-pops and fallaways in the mid-range.

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