'26 NBA Draft: Chris Cenac Jr. is a must-get in the first-round

One of the 2026 draft’s most enticing prospects is former McDonald’s All-American and 2024 U17 FIBA Gold Medalist, Chris Cenac Jr. The 6-foot-11 forward had a standout 18-rebound performance in the NCAA tournament and drew the attention of many across the basketball landscape.

Cenac Jr. was a clear winner of the NBA combine. At his size and with his 7-foot-5 wingspan and his elite mobility at his size, he becomes a very evident and intriguing guy to look at in this draft class.

“That dude is desperate to be a good player. He truly loves basketball,” Houston assistant Kellen Sampson told Stockrisers.com.

This is a guy who has had a broad range of potential selection. Many view him as a guy who will likely be selected in the 20’s range, but I view him as someone who can sneak into the Top-20, due to his combination of skill, size, and athleticism.

It isn’t normal to see a guy with the unique tools that Cenac Jr. possesses, and I think under the right organization, the full arsenal can be unleashed.

He doesn’t fear stepping out and feeling comfortable knocking down jumpers. He can defend multiple positions and consistently finds different ways to affect the game.

Cenac Jr’s hard-nosed rebounding ability and his spacing could make him an impactful contributor from day one, and he will be able to blossom in the NBA.

Lastly, Sampson used the word ‘determined’ to describe Cenac Jr., and everyone around him believes he is destined for great things in his professional career.