With the 2016 NBA draft right around the corner, here’s a look at Marquese Chriss’ scouting report.
Before the 2015-16 college basketball season started Marquese Chriss wasn’t on anyone’s radar until a few scouts and diehard basketball fans noticed his potential.
With the 2016 NBA draft seemingly devoid of multiple difference makers who can step in and play right away, Chriss has his place as a lottery pick with plenty of upside if the team drafting him is patient enough.
Chriss measured in at the NBA Draft Combine at an impressive 6’10”, one inch taller than expected. Not only did he grow and develop physically as the collegiate season progressed, but his game also filled out as he was given more opportunities offensively.
Blessed with Andre Drummond-like athleticism in terms of his speed and verticality for a big man, Chriss also has an emerging jump shot that he had the chance to showcase a bit for Washington.
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| Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | BLK | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 34 | 24.9 | 5.3 | 9.9 | .530 | 0.6 | 1.8 | .350 | 2.6 | 3.8 | .685 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 4.1 | 13.8 |
| Career | 34 | 24.9 | 5.3 | 9.9 | .530 | 0.6 | 1.8 | .350 | 2.6 | 3.8 | .685 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 4.1 | 13.8 |
Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CBB: View Original Table
Generated 6/20/2016.
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His shooting statistics were decent for a freshman forward, and while he connected on his three-point attempts at a solid rate for a big man, his free throw percentage suggests he might need time to adjust to the NBA’s arc.
With that being said there’s nothing wrong with his mechanics. He has a high release on his shot and his guide hand sits stationary which allows for better accuracy. His biggest problem is getting his feet set consistently but that’s something that can be improved with repetition and practice.
What Chriss has that can’t be taught is explosiveness and nose for offensive rebounds. He’s a put back machine when given a free lane and he even has the reach to extend over the defender boxing out.
While he’s never been the greatest defensive rebounder (his overall rebounding percentage of 10.7 per Sports-Reference was poor for someone his size), his athleticism and motor suggest he has plenty of room for improvement once he hits the weight room and fills out his frame more.
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The other major area of concern for Chriss is his overall defensive ability. He averaged 4.1 fouls per game in college, which means he never quite understood how to properly rotate and play his man off switches and drives to the rim.
His role as a versatile power forward will require him to move onto guards often with the way the professional game is going, so he has a lot of work to do in the film room studying his own footwork and how other teams operate off the pick-and-roll.
Chriss’ concerns on both ends of the floor aren’t major and are things that others have improved on over time at the next level. His athletic ability, emerging jump shot and motor are important tools that will carry him in the professional game.
He’s a risk near the top of the draft but scouts and experts have him pegged as the third forward off the board behind Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram.
Whether he’s the right pick ahead of international big man Dragan Bender remains a mystery, but if he hits his ceiling he has the talent to end up as one of the best players from this class.
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Look for Chriss to have an impact wherever he gets drafted next season.