Boston Celtics Take a Chance on Houston Forward Chris Cenac Jr. at No. 27

The Boston Celtics made a surprising move in the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. with the No. 27 overall pick. This pick was a bit of a departure from the Celtics' usual strategy, as Cenac Jr. is only 19 years old and has just one year of college experience under his belt. However, the Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, is high on the young big man's potential, citing his athleticism, energy, and length as key reasons for the selection.

Cenac Jr. played just one season for the Houston Cougars, averaging 9.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 24.8 minutes of action. He was a top-ten prospect in the 2025 class as a high school senior, and it's clear that the Celtics believe he has the potential to develop into a key contributor for their team in the near future. Despite his relatively short college career, Cenac Jr. has already shown flashes of brilliance on the court, including a impressive outing in the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.

The Celtics are likely hoping to use Cenac Jr. as a developmental player in the near future, given his youthful age and limited college experience. They could use front-court help in the near future, and Cenac Jr.'s potential as a lengthly, mobile rim protector makes him an attractive addition to their roster. However, there is still much work to be done in terms of turning Cenac Jr.'s potential into production at the pro level, and it will be interesting to see how he develops over the coming seasons.

One of the key reasons Cenac Jr. was able to get drafted so high is his impressive athleticism, which was on full display at the NBA draft Combine. He ran a 3.04 second 3/4 court sprint time, and his vertical leap of 38 inches is among the highest in the class. This kind of athleticism is rare, and it's clear that the Celtics are excited about the potential for Cenac Jr. to become a key contributor to their team.

Stevens had high praise for Cenac Jr. after the draft, stating, "Chris is just a good young player. Energetic, plays hard, athletic, long. Fits a position of need, some things we were a little short on." It's clear that Stevens believes Cenac Jr. has the potential to make an impact for the Celtics in the near future, and the team is likely hoping to get him up to speed as quickly as possible.

As Cenac Jr. begins his NBA journey, he will face stiff competition from other young players, but his athleticism and length make him an attractive addition to any team. He will likely begin his career in the G-League, where he can continue to develop his skills and gain valuable experience before making his NBA debut. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Cenac Jr.'s potential is clear, and fans of the Celtics are no doubt excited to see how he develops over the coming seasons.

In the end, the Celtics' decision to select Cenac Jr. at No. 27 was a savvy move, as it gave them a talented young player who can contribute to their team in the near future. While there is still much work to be done in terms of developing Cenac Jr.'s skills, his athleticism and length make him an attractive addition to their roster, and fans of the team are likely eager to see how he develops over the coming seasons.