Prospects the Orlando Magic should consider for the NBA Draft
![Mar 17, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Paul Watson (3) strips the ball from Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) in the second half of Utah vs Fresno State in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports Mar 17, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Paul Watson (3) strips the ball from Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) in the second half of Utah vs Fresno State in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9ec37edf8f7e54d864ab4537c2e60209ae163ea8609652d444540ffde5169feb.jpg)
Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington Huskies
13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Marquese Chriss comes billed as a high-risk, high-reward guy at number 11.
Chriss is a talented shot blocker. He may end up swatting shots into the 10th row like a certain former Magic center used to do. If he crashes the defensive glass as well as the offensive glass then he could be a future NBA All-Star.
In terms of potential, Chriss is probably near the top of the draft class being 18 years old and only playing four years of organized ball. He is still very raw, but has plenty of room to grow and develop.
Big men who can block shots and drain 3’s on a high clip are definitely in high demand.
Strengths
- Athletically, Chriss can do it all. He finishes with authority on mostly dunks.
- He can put the ball on the floor for power moves to the rim or step out to the 3-point line where he converted 35 percent last season for the Huskies.
- Chriss cleans the offensive glass at a high rate with put back dunks or tip outs giving his team second chances to score.
- Potential shot blocker.
Weaknesses
- With all of his gifts on the offensive end, Chriss lacks on the defensive side. The Magic would have to emphasize his need to crash the defensive glass.
- He will need to develop more into an on-ball defender in isolation situations.
- Can lose focus and interest which will not fare well with a coach like Vogel.
- Extremely foul-prone. Disqualified from 15 of 34 games last season. Needs a steady diet of discipline to become effective for the Magic.
With young defensive-minded players like Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon on the roster it should not be too tough to add a player like Chriss to the mix and ask him to buy into the teams defensive style.
Still, he is worthy of a look at number 11 if he still is on the board at that spot.
NBA Comparison: Kenyon Martin/Serge Ibaka
Next: The mystery