Celtics sign – The Boston Celtics have signed rookie power forward Chris Cenac Jr. to his rookie contract after selecting the 19-year-old with the No. 27 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Celtics president Brad Stevens said he’s drawn to Cenac’s hard play, athleticism, and his dev
The Celtics brought their newest big man into the fold with a rookie deal, setting the stage for the kind of quiet hope teams always attach to first-round picks.
Boston has signed rookie power forward Chris Cenac Jr., according to the NBA transaction log. The move follows the Celtics selecting the 19-year-old Cenac with the No. 27 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
At the Reggie Lewis Center, the introduction of the draft picks made Cenac the center of attention. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said he was impressed by how hard Cenac plays, along with his upside at a position where Boston has needs.
“He’s just a good young player. Energetic. Plays hard. Excellent athlete,” Stevens said. “Long. fits a position of need. some things that we were a little short on last year from an athletic perspective with his size and his length and when you play for the program he’s played for he has been taught well and held to a high standard.”.
Cenac comes to Boston as a 6-foot-11, 240-pound forward. He was a consensus top-ten recruit in the Class of 2025. earned McDonald’s All-American honors. and was named MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic and the 2024 NBPA top-100 camp. He played one season at Houston, helping the Cougars reach the Sweet 16.
Sampson’s comments about Cenac—“He’s never had one ounce of bad body language. ” “He’s never. ever been late. He’s always one of the first ones there, last ones to leave. He’s like a huge sponge. Wherever he’s playing in the NBA down the road. that team is going to be lucky to get him”—were part of a draft profile included on NBA.com.
Stevens didn’t rule out the possibility that Cenac could play right away in Boston, but he also made clear what the Celtics are hoping to get out of the pick. Stevens said he hopes the team will be good enough this season that it would be tough for a teenager to earn playing time.
In practical terms, Boston is viewing the selection as a developmental project. Cenac’s size, length, and athleticism fit the gaps Stevens described, and the discipline he learned playing for Kelvin Sampson at Houston could matter as he adjusts to the NBA.
Still, the questions are already obvious—especially around what happens when talent meets workload. Cenac averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.5 during his lone college season.
Boston has tried to steady its front court during the offseason. agreeing to sign Mitchell Robinson and signing Neemias Queta to a contract extension. Luka Garza remains in a reserve role at center. Paul George and Jayson Tatum are the forward anchors. But with Tatum recovering from an Achilles’ injury that caused him to miss the bulk of last season. the Celtics’ power-forward picture is thinner—particularly outside of what the team expects from its existing rotation.
At 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, Jordan Walsh is currently projected by multiple outlets to be the team’s backup power forward. That’s why the Celtics are looking at Cenac to provide more of the size and athleticism they want, even as his offensive game may need refinement.
His college numbers point to both strengths and growing pains. He was seventh in the Big 12 in rebounding as a true freshman. and he has the ability to guard multiple positions defensively. The shooting questions are harder to ignore. Cenac was a 62 percent free-throw shooter last year, on an average of 1.6 attempts per game. He shot 33 percent from 3-point range last season, though he didn’t take many attempts.
On the floor, he also showed promise near the rim and mid-range. He was fourth among his Houston teammates in field-goal attempts per game and shot 48 percent, primarily on attempts near the rim and mid-range jumpers.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see where Cenac fits as he learns the Celtics’ system. Boston will give the first look at Cenac in a Boston uniform on Friday night when the Celtics take on the Raptors in their Summer League opener.
Boston Celtics Chris Cenac Jr. NBA draft 2026 rookie deal Brad Stevens Summer League Mitchell Robinson Neemias Queta Jordan Walsh Houston Cougars
No idea who this guy is but Celtics signing another big dude, cool I guess.
So he’s 6’11 and 240? That’s basically a linebacker lol. Hope he can actually play defense not just be “athletic” on paper.
Wait this says 2026 draft but also says he played at Houston for one season… so was he already drafted or not? Sounds like the timeline is messed up. Either way Stevens hype dudes up every year.
Brad Stevens saying “good young player” like we don’t know that means nothing. Celtics always do this quiet hope stuff and then it’s like, where was he when it mattered? Also if he’s “never late” that’s cool but can he score in the playoffs orrr?