No. 1 2025 heart Cenac commits to Houston

High-10 prospect Chris Cenac Jr., the No. 1 heart within the 2025 class, has dedicated to Houston — changing into this system’s highest-ranked recruit within the fashionable period and giving the Cougars the No. 2 recruiting class within the nation.

Cenac selected the Cougars over a last checklist that additionally included LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Kentucky and Tennessee. Residence-state possibility LSU was strongly within the combine for a lot of Cenac’s recruitment, whereas Kentucky made a push in the summertime and Tennessee tried to shut the hole in latest weeks.

However Houston has been in a powerful place for Cenac for a lot of the autumn, and the large man’s relationship with head coach Kelvin Sampson and assistant coach Quannas White was a key issue.

“I constructed an important relationship with Coach Sampson, Coach White and the remainder of the employees. They’ve a plan to develop me, and I belief them,” Cenac advised ESPN. “I do know Coach Sampson goes to teach me arduous. I would like that and I want that. I’m a coachable participant. Individuals see Coach Sampson solely on the courtroom — he has a superb humorousness, and he’s actually a humorous man.”

Cenac is shaping as much as be a projected lottery choose within the 2026 mock draft.

“I wish to go to a profitable program and produce to assist them win much more,” Cenac stated. “On the identical time, they will help me develop my sport for the subsequent degree after Houston.”

A 6-foot-10 heart, Cenac had a breakout spring on the Puma Pro16 circuit after which backed it up by dominating on the USA Basketball under-17 minicamp and NBPA High 100 camp. He made the U17 nationwide crew and helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal on the FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 8.9 factors and 5.4 rebounds in seven video games off the bench.

Cenac owns a 7-4 wingspan that enables him to contest photographs, block photographs and acquire deflections. Offensively, he produces in and out with back-to-the-basket strikes, footwork and an efficient bounce hook. He additionally has a powerful face-up sport, comfy out to the 3-point line. He already reveals the rim-running, mobility, shot-blocking and contact of at the moment’s fashionable huge man.

Ranked No. 7 within the ESPN 100, Cenac turns into the Cougars’ highest-ranked recruit for the reason that ESPN recruiting database started in 2007. With him within the fold, Houston now has the No. 2 recruiting class within the nation, behind solely Duke. Cenac joins a gaggle that already consists of top-25 guards Isiah Harwell (No. 14) and Kingston Flemings (No. 21) and four-star guard Bryce Jackson.