Chris Cenac Jr.’s College Coach ‘Glad’ Celtics Took Rookie Late in NBA Draft: ‘They Believe In You’ originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Following a successful college career as the No. 1 center in the 2025 recruiting class, there was plenty of confusion when Chris Cenac Jr. went 27th overall in the NBA Draft. The Celtics saw something in him, which was good enough for him and his college coach.
Cenac was a consensus five-star prospect at Houston. The Cougars were one of the top defensive teams in the country last season, thanks in part to Cenac’s 7-foot-5 wingspan. He led Houston in rebounds (7.9 RPG) throughout the season, helping Houston reach the Sweet Sixteen.
Afterward, he declared for the NBA Draft, where he was taken in a position he wasn’t expected. Since that moment, he’s been ready to show why teams will “regret” not giving him a look.
Cenac’s former coach doesn’t share his same mindset of revenge.
Kelvin Sampson believes Celtics culture will help Chris Cenac Jr.Cenac was part of one of the best cultures in college basketball under head coach Kelvin Sampson. Sampson, entering his 13th season as coach, believes the Celtics were the perfect fit for Cenac.
"I said, ‘Chris, I’m glad those teams didn’t take you,'" Sampson told The Boston Globe. "Then when Boston took him, I said, 'They believe in you, Chris. You went to the right team.' Brad Stevens is one of the best basketball people in the world, and I’ve been so impressed with [coach] Joe Mazzulla."
Sampson has NBA experience, working as an assistant with the Bucks and Rockets. He also was in an advisory role with the Spurs. Sampson saw what the front office saw in some players, college or veterans, waiting for the right moment to swoop in and pick them up. That’s believed to be the way the Celtics landed Cenac.
Cenac impressed in several Summer League games, producing 14 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in the Celtics’ opener against the Raptors. It was an overall productive run for the 19-year-old, who continues to develop.
Given the Celtics’ rich history, Sampson believes the team can turn Cenac into a true superstar athlete.
"I don’t know that [Payton] Pritchard would be a great player everywhere, but he made it in Boston, and I don’t think it was a coincidence that it was in Boston," Sampson said. "Jayson Tatum is going to be good everywhere, but some of those other guys might not be. I think Chris can develop there."
Chris Cenac Jr. college statsStat2025–26 ValueGames Played (GP)37Games Started (GS)36Minutes Per Game (MPG)24.8Points Per Game (PPG)9.5Rebounds Per Game (RPG)7.9Assists Per Game (APG)0.7Steals Per Game (SPG)0.8Blocks Per Game (BPG)0.5Field Goal Percentage (FG%)48.5%Three-Point Percentage (3PT%)33.3%Free Throw Percentage (FT%)62.1%More Celtics
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