NBA Draft grades roundup: How experts view Celtics' Chris Cenac Jr. pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Did the Boston Celtics find a gem with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Celtics used the selection on Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr., a 6-foot-11 big man who played just one season at Houston. As a freshman, Cenac Jr. averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor in 37 games.
With his size and wingspan (7-foot-5), Cenac Jr. is an exciting prospect with intriguing upside. One word to describe the 19-year-old is “raw.” A stellar rebounder, the Celtics will look to develop him into a consistent frontcourt presence over the next couple of years.
What did draft experts think of the Celtics’ pick? Here’s a roundup of first-round grades:
Kurt Helin, NBC Sports
Grade: B
“In the playoffs, Joel Embiid showed the Celtics they need more depth and size inside, and Cenac brings that… or has the potential to. Cenac is a development project, a player who has all the tools Boston would want in a big man — size, athleticism, some shooting — but it has never all come together for him. Maybe Boston can develop him.”
Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo! Sports
Grade: A
“As good as Neemias Queta was all year, the Celtics clearly need to upgrade at center after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Sixers in the first round. Maybe Cenac will be the big to do just that.
Cenac checks every box on paper as a superb athlete who moves like a wing, has the length to alter shots, and shoots from the perimeter. Houston handed him a starting role with national title aspirations and trusted him with heavy minutes. But the Cougars fell short again, in part because Cenac struggled to stay out of foul trouble, couldn’t score efficiently, and was overeager to play on the perimeter grabbidespite having the body of a bruiser. He arrived in college with lottery expectations, and he still could become that player in the future. But the Celtics are taking a project.”
John Hollinger, The Athletic
Grade: B+
“Boston is fond of toolsy guys like this, and the Celtics have a strong record of developing them. Cenac is a plus rebounder, and his ability to make outside shots likely helps him in Boston’s 3-happy system, but despite those outlines, he’s a project who is unlikely to contribute right away.”
Zach Braziller, New York Post
Grade: C
“The 6-foot-10 forward didn’t have the freshman year many expected and fell in the draft, nearly out of the first round. Still has the measurables, namely in his 7-foot-5 wingspan, that teams desire.”
Bryan Kalbrosky, USA TODAY
Grade: A
“Houston freshman Chris Cenac Jr. was a savvy gamble by Boston’s front office. Cenac has remarkable size and athleticism and potential and while he did not have as productive of a season last year as many hoped, a lot of that was simply because he played into his role on a remarkably strong collegiate roster. Cenac was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school for a reason and should show his talent with little immediate pressure for the Celtics.”
Cameron Salerno, CBS Sports
Grade: B
“Cenac’s slide finally stops at the end of the first round. The Houston big man is considered one of the more raw prospects of the class, but has the tools to be an impactful two-way player at the next level. He will go to a situation in Boston where he won’t be asked to do much right away and can take advantage of the Celtics’ player development. It’s an ideal fit for both parties.”
