Chris Cenac Jr. Joins Men’s Basketball

HOUSTON – Link Academy star center Chris Cenac has made his decision and will don the Scarlet and White for the University of Houston Men's Basketball program after recently signing a financial aid agreement.

After signing with the University last Wednesday, Cenac made Tuesday's public announcement in Salt Lake City, where Link Academy was competing in a tournament this week.

Measuring 6-foot-10 and weighing 230 pounds, Cenac is a consensus 5-star recruit by 247Sports, on3, Rivals and ESPN. He will compete as a freshman beginning during the 2025-26 season and have four years of eligibility.

Cenac, whose name is pronounced See-Nack – was a Top-10 recruit by all national recruiting organizations and was listed as the No. 1 center in the country by 247Sports and ESPN100.

"Chris is an upbeat, positive young man and is a great teammate. Chris wanted to go somewhere where he would be coached and coached hard. He wanted to go somewhere where he could get better and prepare him for the next level of basketball. Chris gives us great length and great size, but he is unique. He is a not a big man's big man… he is a basketball player who happens to be 6-foot 10," Sampson said. "He will be one of the better 3-point shooters on the team. Instead of a roll guy, he gives us a pop guy. He gives us a guy who can spot up in transition, and he can also handle the ball, and he can pass. Chris has a chance to be a high-level player."

"Chris is an elite front court player that has a chance to be a long time NBA player with the track he is on. He can push the ball in transition, initiate offense along with being able to make three and score in the paint. He is a physical strong athlete that can guard multiple positions and rebound outside of his area," Link Academy Coach Chad Meyers said. "Chris is a great kid, who is focused on his development. He lives in the gym and one of the main reasons he chose Houston is because he feels they will make him a better player in all aspects."

"More than anything, Chris is going to bring his toughness to the program. He is a very talented player and will bring everything that Coach Sampson and Houston wants," YGC Hoops Coach Jonathan Walker said. "Chris is a laid-back kid and is always smiling. He is family-oriented and loves to be around his teammates."

In the summer of 2024, Cenac was impressive at the NBPA Top 100 Camps, taking home Most Valuable Player honors. He also led Team USA National Team to the Gold Medal at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Istanbul and was named the Most Valuable Player of Puma's PRO16 league.

Prior to playing with Link Academy, Cenac spent two seasons under Coach Randy Livingston at Isidore Newman High School in his hometown of New Orleans.

As a junior in 2023-24, Cenac led Isidore Newman High School to its third straight state championship and received All-State Second Team recognition after averaging 13.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.

That year, Cenac posted 19 points with eight assists, four rebounds and three blocked shots in the state championship game against University High School. For that impressive performance, he was named the State Championship Most Outstanding Player.

Cenac became the fourth member of the Cougars' 2025 signing class. Shadow Creek High School star guard Bryce Jackson, Wasatch Academy guard Isiah Harwell and Brennan High School point guard Kingston Flemings joined the program last week.

UP NEXT
• Houston opens play at the Players Era Festival when it faces #6/7 Alabama at 7 p.m. (CST) Tuesday inside MGM Grand Garden Arena.
• That game will air on TBS and Max
• Houston continues its tournament stay against Notre Dame (11:30 p.m. CST, Wednesday) and a to-be-determined opponent on Nov. 30.
• The Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Butler in the Big East-Big 12 Battle inside Fertitta Center on Dec. 7.
• That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.

– UHCougars.com –

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