Marquese Chriss Declares for 2016 NBA Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction

After a terrific freshman season at the University of Washington, highly touted forward Marquese Chriss will enter the 2016 NBA draft.   

On Wednesday, Chriss confirmed his decision to leave school after one season on Twitter:

This is either a good or a bad day for Huskies basketball, depending on the perspective, as Christian Caple of the Tacoma News Tribune noted that Chriss and Dejounte Murray declared for the draft on the same day. 

Murray also released a statement on his decision: 

Chriss doesn't figure to be on the board long when June's draft rolls around. Washington's athletics website lists him at 6'9" and 225 pounds, and the California native averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent overall. 

Mike Schmitz of The Vertical tweeted out some of the highlights from Washington's NIT game against San Diego State that had NBA scouts buzzing:

According to Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo, SI.com ranked Chriss No. 10 overall out of 20 prospects on its big board:

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He’s highlight-reel bouncy, active on the offensive glass and already a comfortable face-up shooter, all factors that mitigate the fact he’s slightly undersized. Chriss could become a pick-and-pop weapon with a chance to extend his range beyond the arc, and as he goes through the draft process and teams get more familiar, it should help solidify his stock. He’s a work in progress—foul trouble has been an issue—but in a shallow draft class, he’s worth a look in the mid-to-late lottery.

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That's an area of Chriss' game he has to correct as he enters the NBA. He can get overzealous, which puts him in foul trouble early. He fouled out against San Diego State and in back-to-back contests against Oregon and Washington State late in the regular season. 

When Chriss is on point—like he was in the Pac-12 tournament with 18 points and 10 rebounds in a 91-68 win over Stanford—he's a dynamic talent who has impact potential at the next level. He's a developmental project but one who can pay huge dividends within two years.