Marquese Chriss Q&A: Life as a dunker
By Ian Levy
Marquese Chriss played just one season of basketball at the University of Washington, which happened to be plenty of time for him to fill out an eye-popping highlight reel. The Phoenix Suns traded up to select the 6-9 forward with the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft, eager to acquire a player with boundless athleticism and the kind of burgeoning perimeter game that the modern NBA demands from its big men.
As Chriss prepares for his rookie season in Phoenix, he took the time to help out with FanSided’s Definitive Dunks project, serving on our expert panel ranking the greatest in-game dunks in NBA history. Chriss also took a few minutes last week to speak to me by phone about life above the rim.
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Do you remember the first time you dunked in a game?
First time I dunked in a game was my freshman year. I had tried one time early in the season, it was a big game and I got hung [on the rim]. And then I tried later in the season and I made it, I was on a fastbreak all by myself.
Who were some of your favorite dunkers when you were growing up?
Vince Carter. Kobe. Shaq, even though he was big but he was still athletic and could dunk, breaking backboards and stuff like that.
For someone who has never dunked (I’m 5-11 on a good day), can you explain what it feels like to dunk?
I mean, I’m getting used to it right now but there’s some dunks I do where I kind of catch myself off guard. You gotta act like you’ve done it before and just keep a straight face. It’s crazy for me, being able to do that and it’s just an easy way to score, it’s the best part.
What are your thoughts on the NBA Slam Dunk Contest? I know it was sort of reinvigorated by Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine last season, but before that a lot of people felt like it had gotten stale. Do you enjoy watching the dunk contest?
I love watching them. I think it’s entertaining to see people’s creativity and people like Zach who can jump from the [free throw] line easy, that’s just crazy to watch. I think people are kind of getting so accustomed to seeing things like that, that they don’t appreciate it as much. But I think, from my standpoint, it’s crazy to see the stuff that they’re doing and how easy they’re making it look.
Have you ever competed in a dunk contest?
I did one in high school for a little rally and then I did one at a team camp in high school too. It was before I could actually jump like I can jump now, so it was mostly like rim-raiser dunks and little simple dunks.
Between college, summer league, and workouts, who’s the best dunker that you’re played with or against?
We have Derrick Jones here working out, he’s from UNLV. He’s ridiculous, he jumps out the gym every time.
I spent a lot of time combing through your highlights on YouTube looking for some of your best dunks. I found a particularly nasty one-hander against San Diego State from the NIT. Do any of your own dunks stand out as a favorite?
There was one against Utah on Jakob Poeltl. I did like a pro-hop across the lane and then dunked it. And then I had an alley-oop against Colorado, those two were probably my favorites.
I know you guys are just working out and you maybe haven’t had a chance to play with everyone yet, but who’s going to be throwing you the best lobs this year — Tyler Ulis, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight?
Probably Tyler, he’s been throwing me the best lobs so far. I haven’t gotten the chance to play with Eric yet but I think he can too, and B-Knight as well. But so far, Tyler has been throwing the best ones for me.
Heading into your rookie year, you’re known a lot for your athleticism and your leaping ability. Any goals this year for proving that you’re more than just a big dunker?
Everything. I’m working on all aspects of my game, just to widen people’s opinion of me that I’m not just a dunker but that I’m actually able to create for myself.
Anyone in the league right now that you’d really like to dunk on?
Probably DeAndre Jordan.