Celtics draft Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr. with 27th overall pick

Zack Cox, Boston Herald on Jun 23, 2026

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BOSTON — The Celtics used their first-round draft pick to address one of their biggest roster needs.

With the 27th overall selection in the 2026 NBA draft, Boston selected Chris Cenac Jr., a 6-foot-11 big man out of Houston.

Known for his length, athleticism and rebounding ability, Cenac averaged 9.5 points and 7.8 boards per game during his lone season with the Cougars, shooting 48.5% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range.

The Celtics entered the offseason needing frontcourt reinforcements after Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and impending free agent Nikola Vucevic looked overmatched during the team’s first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia. Cenac is a high-upside addition to that position group, but it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be ready to play a significant role as a rookie.

Several prominent draft analysts view the 19-year-old freshman as a project who could have benefited from another season in college.

The Athletic’s John Hollinger: “Cenac requires a bit more projection than some other players in this class and is unlikely to be game-ready immediately, but he has some real upside as a floor-spacing glass-eater who moves pretty fluidly for his size.”

The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann: “A bet on Cenac is a bet on upside at this point, but there are obvious physical tools to work with. His success will rely on his new team having a strong veteran presence, a simplified role for him (for now), and a proven player development infrastructure.”

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie: "He’s probably entering the draft at least one year — if not two years — before he’s ready, and my guess is Cenac will have a slow build over the next few years. Don’t expect anything in Year 1, as he should be considered a project. But if he gets to the right organization that can help him develop his perimeter skills and continue to work on his feel for the game, he could be a significant impact player.”