The Boston Celtics may have unearthed a future defensive anchor in Chris Cenac Jr., the rookie big man who’s already flashing elite rim protection in Summer League play. Boston lost 102-90 to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, but Cenac’s four blocks in that game pushed his Vegas tally to nine in just three outings - a total that already surpasses his entire collegiate output.
What’s driving Cenac’s rapid rise?
Cenac’s block rate in Summer League has been staggering. He’s averaging three swats per game in exhibition action, a mark that dwarfs his lone college season at Houston, where he managed just 18 blocks in 37 games. The 19-year-old wasn’t asked to anchor Houston’s defense last year - that role belonged to JoJo Tugler - but his Summer League surge suggests he was miscast in college. And he’s not just blocking shots. Cenac has also flashed range on offense, giving Boston a versatile big who could develop into a jack-of-all-trades.
Why the Celtics took the gamble
The Celtics landed Cenac with the 27th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after he slid in the first round. Boston’s front office saw something in him that others didn’t, and early returns are promising. He’s doing exactly what the organization asked. “That’s something they’ve been preaching to me since I got here that I need to do,” Cenac told reporters via Justin Turpin of WEEI. “And I’m a player that’s going to do whatever it takes, do whatever the organization needs me to do.”
How Boston can develop their new defensive weapon
The Celtics don’t need Cenac to shoulder heavy minutes right away. Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson are holding down the paint for now, and both can mentor the rookie. Queta, a defensive specialist, could help Cenac refine his positioning, while Robinson’s elite shot-blocking pedigree offers a blueprint for development. Boston can afford to bring Cenac along slowly - they’ve lost their last five games, including a 100-109 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on May 2, 2026 - but his long-term upside makes the wait worthwhile.
Last result: Boston Celtics 100-109 Philadelphia 76ers (2026-05-02).
