8. Marquese Chriss
Age: 18
Position: PF
School/Country: Washington
Height: 6-10
Weight: 233 pounds
If upside were the sole determining factor in regards to how a player coming into the NBA Draft is evaluated, Marquese Chriss might be at the very top. If his career and development were to work out ideally moving forward, he could legitimately be the best player in this draft. However, he’s not at that level yet and that makes him a difficult guy to evaluate leading up to the draft.
Chriss played only 24.9 minutes per game in his lone season at Washington, but still managed impressive production in that time on the floor. He put up 13.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 53.1 percent from the floor and even showing a little ability to step out and knock down jumpers. Chriss’ versatility on both ends of the floor is near unparalleled again in terms of potential in this draft class.
However, the youngster still has plenty of polishing and developing left to do and that’s never a guarantee. Still, the talent and upside for Chriss are far too high to ignore and even to not be impressed by. As such, he’s a firm lottery pick.
Next: No. 7 Hield