Marquese Chriss

Marquese Chriss's Biography

Marquese De’Shawn Chriss, born on July 2, 1997, is an accomplished American professional basketball player currently playing for the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). His extensive basketball career traces back to his time with the Washington Huskies at the college level, who was then selected in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft with the eighth overall pick by the Sacramento Kings. His remarkable talent and commitment led him to secure a spot in the NBA All-Rookie Second Team as a Phoenix Suns member.

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Chriss had an affinity for various sports, including baseball and American football. Between fifth grade and eighth grade, Chriss exhibited exceptional potential as a tight end, defensive end, and safety. During a game in his eighth-grade season, he sustained a shoulder injury leading to a broken collarbone, forcing him to redirect his active lifestyle towards basketball.

His basketball journey began at Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California. Proving his dedication and determination, Chriss began the season as a reserve and eventually moved into the starting lineup. In his junior year, he led the team to a 28–6 record and a state championship, an achievement that led colleges to offer scholarships, with the first arriving from Northern Arizona University. In January 2014, Chriss committed to the University of Washington, marking the beginning of his widespread college basketball recognition.

Chriss demonstrated an exemplary college basketball career, where, as a senior, he averaged 21.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. His record-breaking performance was not unnoticed, with Scout and Rivals ranking him as the No. 55 and No. 56 recruit in the nation, respectively, from the class of 2015. Websites like ESPN and 247Sports.com placed him at No. 60.

Despite an early hiccup in his career at the University of Washington, Chriss quickly bounced back after consulting with a sports psychologist at his mother’s suggestion. This move resulted in a robust improvement in his performance, with an elevation in his three-point shooting and overall game stats. Chriss ended his freshman campaign cataloging significant accomplishments in the Huskies’ program history. He then declared for the 2016 NBA draft, an agreement with Nike in the days leading to the draft further augmented his rising basketball profile.

His NBA debut came in as a Phoenix Suns member, where he was traded in exchange for the draft rights of Bogdan Bogdanović and two other draft picks. He joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2016 NBA Summer League, bolstering his game with engagements in several Summer Leagues seasons and maintaining a consistent performance. After an illustrious rookie year, Chriss was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

His persistent hard work led him to play for several other NBA teams, including the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks. He suffered a major setback in his career with the Warriors when he broke his right leg, missing the rest of the season. Despite the adversity, Chriss kept moving, playing for teams in NBA G League and gaining more experience in the field. In 2024, he signed with Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin of the Chinese Basketball Association, marking a new chapter in his professional basketball career.

Family plays a crucial role in Chriss’s life. As the fourth-oldest among nine siblings, he grew up with strong family ties. His father Steven Chriss and his mother Shawntae Wright supported and influenced him throughout his journey. His stepfather, Michael Wright, lived in Tacoma, Washington, with the family’s occasional visits to the Northwest being regarded as a significant influence on him choosing the University of Washington. Chriss’s childhood and family experiences significantly contributed to molding the professional player we know and admire today.