04/09/2026
Houston's Chris Cenac Jr. declares for NBA draft: Latest mock projection
Houston freshman forward/center Chris Cenac Jr. has officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining three years of college eligibility at the University of Houston. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound New Orleans native, a former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and shot 48.5% from the field in 37 games during his breakout rookie season under coach Kelvin Sampson. Scouts praise his size, rebounding instincts, athleticism around the rim, and developing perimeter skills, though questions remain about his consistency and three-point shooting. Current mock drafts project the 19-year-old as a mid-to-late first-round pick, with many placing him in the 20-27 range depending on team needs for frontcourt depth and upside. The declaration comes as the Cougars prepare for the future without one of their top young talents, while Cenac now turns his focus to pre-draft workouts and showcasing his two-way potential ahead of June’s draft.