Celtics Draft Chris Cenac Jr., Watch Highlights of No. 27 Pick in 2026 NBA Draft

The Boston Celtics selected Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday night.

During the 2025-26 season, Cenac operated as a key frontcourt piece for a Cougars squad that finished with a 30-7 record and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA tournament.

He averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field. Cenac also showcased the ability to space the floor, connecting on 30 three-pointers as a freshman.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman compared Cenac to forward Bobby Portis in his scouting report.

"Cenac will play a Bobby Portis-type role, offering finishing, energy and three-point shooting," Wasserman wrote. "Offense won't run through either of these forwards. Like Portis, Cenac will work as a complementary player who'll cut, crash the glass, pick-and-pop, stretch the floor and use his motor to make plays at both ends. At worst, Cenac seems capable of carving out a career as an energizer."

As the Celtics look to remain a contender in the Eastern Conference next season, Cenac could carve out a spot in head coach Joe Mazzulla's rotation as a rookie.