PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Marquese Chriss broke rim in pre-draft workout

Jun 24, 2016, 12:53 PM | Updated: 1:04 pm

Washington's Marquese Chriss, center, dunks against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA colleg...

Washington's Marquese Chriss, center, dunks against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

LISTEN: Earl Watson - Suns Head Coach

The Phoenix Suns traded the 13th pick, 28th pick, a 2020 second-round pick and Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Sacramento Kings for the rights to power forward Marquese Chriss.

Standing at 6-foot-10 and 233 pounds, Chriss is considered to be the best athlete in the draft.

Chriss was able to show off his insane athleticism in pre-draft work outs when Suns coach Earl Watson, who played point guard for 13 years in the NBA, was tossing him alley-oop passes.

Watson talked about the alley-oop that impressed him the most on Off the Edge on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday.

“I wanted to give him the hardest pass to catch in the NBA, so he can dunk on a guy who jumps just as high as him, such as a (Hassan) Whiteside,” Watson said. “After he dunked it, bolts and screws fell out of the rim.”

That is definitely one way to go about impressing a team’s management.

Chriss isn’t just a high-flying dunker, as he also has a pure shot from the elbow, which led to Watson comparing Chriss to LaMarcus Aldridge.

His range also extends beyond the three-point line as he knocked down 35 percent of his attempts last year at the University of Washington. He averaged 13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Should the Phoenix Suns bring back Mike D’Antoni?

As rumors continue around the Phoenix Suns and the organization's future with head coach Frank Vogel, Wolf & Luke take a closer look at a weekend headline that suggested the team bring back Mike D'Antoni.

12 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Kevin Zimmerman

Seven point guards for Suns fans to know in the 2024 NBA Draft

Point guard is a pressing need for the Phoenix Suns. Who could potentially be a fit with the 22nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft?

13 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Devin Booker has some decisions to make this offseason

In Monday morning's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley talks about what Devin Booker has to do during his longest offseason since 2020.

17 hours ago

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts after hitting a basket in the first half of Gam...

Associated Press

Anthony Edwards’ dominance continues as T-Wolves take Game 1 from Nuggets

Anthony Edwards scored a playoff career-high 43 points and the Timberwolves beat the defending NBA champion Nuggets in Game 1.

2 days ago

NBA players Kevin Durant (L) and Draymond Green attend a 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game betwee...

Arizona Sports

Draymond Green ‘baffled’ by James Jones’ claim on Kevin Durant not being maximized

Warriors forward Draymond Green saw Kevin Durant win two Finals MVP awards so it's safe to say he disagreed with James Jones' comments.

3 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Should Phoenix Suns draft Bronny James to lure LeBron James?

With the future of LeBron James a mystery, Burns & Gambo debate the merits of the Phoenix Suns drafting Bronny James to perhaps entice LeBron James to join his son in Arizona.

3 days ago

Suns’ Marquese Chriss broke rim in pre-draft workout