The Boston Celtics chose Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
Cenac Jr., a 6 foot 11 athletic big man with a 7 foot 5 wingspan, played for the Houston Cougars. He is known for his mobility, defense across multiple positions, and ability to finish at the rim and stretch the floor with jump shots.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said the team sees Cenac as a high energy player with room to grow. Stevens noted that Cenac always played hard, even on nights when things did not go well for him. The pick addresses the team’s need for more size and athleticism in the frontcourt.
Chris Cenac Jr. becomes the newest addition to a Celtics roster that values versatility and long term potential. He is expected to develop under head coach Joe Mazzulla.