Report: Marquese Chriss hopes to land with Phoenix Suns
Jun 22, 2016, 10:06 AM | Updated: 4:58 pm
Washington's Marquese Chriss, foreground, battles Oregon's Elgin Cook for position under the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
(AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Washington forward Marquese Chriss is one of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft class.
A high-flying athlete, he averaged 13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game as a freshman. He also averaged 4.1 fouls in just 25 minutes per outing, while turning the ball over twice and tallying less than one assist per contest.
Just 18 years old (he’ll be 19 on July 2), many see him as having one of the highest ceilings of any player in the draft, albeit perhaps while also boasting one of the lower floors.
In a lot of ways he would be a great fit for the Phoenix Suns, who are short on power forwards and are also not necessarily looking for a player who can help them win right now; instead, they might be inclined to draft someone who, in time, can develop into a star.
However, even if the Suns have Chriss atop their draft board, there are three teams set to pick ahead of them and there is no guarantee he will be on the board when they are on the clock.
But if he is there, Chriss would not be opposed to the Suns selecting him. In fact, according to ESPN’s Andy Katz, the player would be prefer it.
Washington’s Marquese Chriss says Phoenix hasn’t promised him but he hopes he goes to Suns (only visit he took). Bos, Minn, NO watched him in LA
Other prospects who have been linked to the Suns include Croatian forward Dragan Bender, California wing Jaylen Brown, Kentucky guard Jamal Murray and Providence guard Kris Dunn, with Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield, Marquette’s Henry Ellenson and Kentucky’s Skal Labissiere also being mentioned for Phoenix.
There has also been talk that the Suns, who hold picks No. 13, 28 and 34 as well as No. 4, might be inclined to trade their top selection for a younger veteran.
Whatever route they ultimately go, we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out, as the draft is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. Arizona time Thursday evening.
