Nobody expected Chris Cenac Jr. to slide to the Boston Celtics at No. 27 in the 2026 NBA Draft, especially when he was projected as the nation’s No. 6 recruit right before his freshman year at the NCAA level. The guy was supposed to be a top-5 talent, just behind the five players who ultimately went in that order in the draft. Now, he’s hitting the floor in Las Vegas and making every team that passed on him look absolutely foolish, proving that sometimes the league just misses big.
The College Stumble That Rocked the Draft
So, why did a projected No. 6 talent fall all the way to No. 27? Get this: Cenac Jr.’s campaign with Houston was dubbed “underwhelming” because of a “clogged frontcourt” and the absolute head-scratcher of him being “asked to eschew key big man skills like shot blocking.” Seriously, what kind of coaching decision is that? You take a big man with elite potential and tell him *not* to block shots? That’s wild. It absolutely stifled his development and created a situation where scouts, maybe unfairly, downgraded him. That bizarre setup helped him slide right into Boston’s range, which, in hindsight, looks like one of the biggest breaks in recent draft history.
Las Vegas Redemption Tour Kicks Off
Fast forward to the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, and Cenac Jr. is not just playing, he’s “looking like one of the better prospects” out there. He’s absolutely electric! All that “jump-out-the-gym athleticism” that made him a top recruit? It’s on full display. And the “intense work ethic” he’s known for? You can see it in every hustle play. He’s making up for lost time and showing everyone why he was so highly touted to begin with. Even the sharp minds on CLNS Media’s “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, have taken time to break down just how much of a steal this pick is already looking like.
This kid is straight-up delivering right now. If he keeps this energy up, the Celtics might have just landed a foundational piece for their future, proving that talent and heart will always find a way to shine, no matter how much the draft board gets messed up. Keep an eye on Cenac Jr.; he’s just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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