Cenac Jr. Drafted By Celtics
Boston Celtics Select Chris Cenac Jr. 27th Overall, Betting on High-Upside Forward’s Potential
Key Points
Cenac Jr. is a LaPlace, Louisiana native who helped Newman win a Louisiana state championship in 2024 before finishing his prep at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri.
Houston had two first-round picks in the 2026 Draft, with Kingston Flemings going No. 8 to Atlanta; Cenac becoming the third UH alum drafted in the Celtics' first round, a group that includes Don Chaney (1968) and Michael Young (1984).
Analyst Jay Bilas described Cenac as 'a lottery talent' with 'the potential to work out as a stretch 5 in the NBA,' underscoring the upside despite draft-position questions.
Mock drafts had Cenac positioned anywhere from just outside the lottery (roughly No. 18) to late in the first round, highlighting the volatility of his draft stock.
Cenac's Houston stats include 9.5 PPG and 7.9 RPG in 24.8 minutes per game as a freshman; during the NCAA tournament, he averaged 10.0 PPG and 12.3 RPG across three games.
The Boston Celtics selected Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24, landing a 6'10" forward with a 7'5" wingspan and lottery-grade upside. Boston Sports Journal reported the pick was made despite Cenac spending only one year in college, where he averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for the Houston Cougars.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas called the selection a steal, saying Cenac "is a lottery talent" with "the potential to work out as a stretch 5 in the NBA." The pick also made history — Cenac is just the third University of Houston player ever drafted in the first round by Boston, joining Don Chaney (1968) and Michael Young (1984), according to CLNS Media.
Cenac's NCAA Tournament Surge Drove His Draft Stock
Cenac's stock rose sharply during Houston's 2026 NCAA Tournament run. He averaged 10.0 points and 12.3 rebounds across three games, recording double-doubles in each appearance. His offensive rebounding ranked in the 94th percentile among all players at his height, according to Yahoo Sports.
His regular-season numbers were also strong for a freshman: 9.5 PPG and 7.9 RPG in just 24.8 minutes per game. He also shot 33.3% from three-point range and held opponents to just 0.78 points per possession in isolation defense — an elite mark for a big man. Celtics President Brad Stevens said Cenac's "positional length and modern versatility" were the deciding factors in the pick.
From LaPlace to Boston: A Fast Rise Through Elite Programs
Cenac grew up in LaPlace, Louisiana. He led Isidore Newman School to a 2024 Louisiana Division III state championship before transferring to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri for tougher national competition. He then chose Houston over LSU, Auburn, and Kentucky, citing coach Kelvin Sampson's developmental track record.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson praised Cenac's growth after the pick: "Chris came in as a 'potential' guy and left as a 'production' guy." Having two first-rounders in one draft — Cenac at No. 27 and teammate Kingston Flemings at No. 8 to Atlanta — signals that Houston is now a genuine one-and-done destination, according to MassLive.
Scouts Split: Elite Ceiling vs. Questions About Polish
Not every evaluator was sold. Mock drafts had Cenac ranging from No. 12 in January to as low as late in the first round by draft night. Teams in the late teens reportedly passed on him over concerns about offensive polish, including 66% free-throw shooting and inconsistent motor, according to MassLive.
One anonymous Eastern Conference scout told reporters: "The physical tools are 10/10, but the motor fluctuated at Houston. In Boston's system, there's no room for 'off' nights." The scout suggested Cenac could spend significant time with the Celtics' G-League affiliate in Maine before contributing at the NBA level.
Boston Sees Cenac as a Long-Term Frontcourt Building Block
The Celtics are already a contender, so there is no pressure on Cenac to produce immediately. That low-pressure environment may suit a developmental player. His four-year rookie contract is projected at roughly $11.8 million, with a first-year salary near $2.4 million, according to Yahoo Sports.
Boston's front office has historically valued long, switchable defenders — and Cenac fits that mold. With veteran big Al Horford aging, Cenac is positioned as the long-term answer at the stretch-big role. CLNS Media analysts described the pick as a "high-upside luxury" that could pay off over the next two to three seasons.
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