The Boston Celtics selected University of Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night.
Cenac, a 19-year-old from New Orleans, averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds during his freshman season.
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He led the Cougars with six double-doubles while starting 36 of 37 games.
According to Hoops Rumors, Celtics president Brad Stevens kept the first-round pick despite trade rumors. Cenac joins a team that ranked third in rebounds per game last season.
The forward finished seventh in the Big 12 in rebounding average and ranked among conference leaders in offensive and defensive boards.
Before the draft, Cenac invited Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson to join his family in the green room at Barclays Center.
"He's somebody that really helped me get to where I am now," Cenac said.
Cenac developed rapidly under Sampson, becoming the first freshman to lead Houston in total rebounds in nearly 15 years.
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"He trusted me coming into Houston and helped my game a lot. It was only right for me to invite him to the green room," Cenac added.
Draft profiles highlight Cenac's elite physical tools: 6-foot-10.25 barefoot, a 7-foot-5 wingspan, and a 240-pound frame.
He converted 74.4 percent of his rim attempts, per Bleacher Report, making him a top interior finisher.
Cenac also showed a developing jump shot, making 30 three-pointers and hitting 41 percent of his 61 mid-range attempts.
Defensively, he averaged 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 24.8 minutes per game.
The Philadelphia 76ers had considered drafting Cenac at No. 22 to back up Joel Embiid, and the New Orleans Pelicans explored trading up for him.
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Boston will now integrate him into their player development system.
