Tall athletes are often appreciated in the field of basketball. That leads us to center prospect Chris Cenac Jr., who had already built an impressive basketball resume by the time he was in high school.
In a recent interview, the Houston commit revealed how he shot up nine inches throughout his preps career.
Chris Cenac Jr.: From Growth Spurt to Elite Recruit
Known as a state champion, a gold medalist with the USAB U17 team, and a top-ranked recruit in Louisiana, Cenac’s development has been one of the most fascinating in recent years. But his path to success isn’t just about talent but also his extraordinary growth spurt.
Cenac’s transformation has been both physical and mental. However, apart from working on his game during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was also worried about his height. Before the pandemic, he was standing at about 5’10”, but by the time he entered his freshman year, he had shot up to 6’7″.
In an interview from “PRO16: Exposed” Episode 1, which premiered on Feb. 5, he recalled, “I was just growing, sitting in the house all day.”
This period of rapid growth changed his body and his approach to basketball.
“After quarantine, my ninth-grade year is when I really started taking it more seriously. Sophomore year when I started getting offers, that’s what really motivated me to keep playing and just work hard,” the prospect explained.
Chris clarified that although others may label him as a center, he considers himself more of a stretch forward.
“People like [to] list me as a center, but I’m not really a center. I’m more of like a stretch forward,” he explained. “I can really play all around the court and defend really any position.”
His versatility on the court became an asset as he adapted to his new height and skill set. Over the last couple of years, Cenac spent countless hours working on his game. His skills improved dramatically as he participated in numerous camps, tournaments, and other events.
“It’s just kind of recent, like my freshman, sophomore year. I realized that I loved basketball once I shot up my sophomore year, and I just kept wanting to play,” he shared in another interview. Rather than quitting when faced with challenges, Cenac used them as fuel to improve.
His game developed significantly during his time at Riverside Academy, where he worked closely with his trainer, Coach James Parlow.
The results were evident—Cenac developed a range of offensive moves, including dribble drives into powerful dunks, face-up fadeaways, pull-up jumpers off the pick-and-roll, and coast-to-coast transition plays. His size and skill allowed him to dominate, and his confidence grew alongside his ability.
Overcoming Setbacks and Becoming a Leader at Link Academy
Unfortunately, Cenac faced a setback when he transferred to Isidore Newman School in New Orleans and was forced to sit out his sophomore season due to transfer rules. Even though his teammates captured a second consecutive state championship, Chris used the time to improve.
“I was just thinking, ‘be in the gym and catch up to everyone,'” he said.
By the time his junior season came around, he was ready to contribute, helping his school win a third consecutive state title with an impressive average of 13.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Cenac’s success earned him a spot at Link Academy in Missouri, a school that has produced some of the top players in the nation, including Ja’Kobe Walter, Jordan Walsh, and Tre Johnson.
At Link, Chris quickly became a leader, taking on the role of team captain and focusing on winning the national championship.
KEEP READING: ‘Reloading’ — Houston Set for 2025-26 With Chris Cenac Jr.’s Commitment
“The main thing right now for me is winning the national championship with these guys that I’m at Link with,” Cenac said.
Now ranked as high as No. 7 in the 2025 class, Cenac is firmly established as one of the top recruits in the country. When he arrives in Houston next season, he’ll surely make an impact for the Cougars.
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