As a high school senior, Chris Cenac Jr already had an above-average resume. Louisiana High School State Champion. USAB U17 team gold medalist. The No. 1 player in Louisiana. Five-star recruit. NBPA Top 100 Camp MVP. Over the past year, he has jumped from outside the top 50 to the top 10 on every ranking list.
Over the past 12 months we have gone through a series of training camps, tournaments, events and developed our own training programs for defenders and attacking threats. The widespread recognition justifiably poured in. When I graduated my sophomore year, I realized I loved basketball and I always wanted to play,” Chris said. “Because most people would stop and give up, but I kept going and tried harder, and that motivated me.”
The 6-foot-10 center with a guard bag has always been one of the tallest among his peers. But it wasn’t until his freshman season at Riverside College that he started working on his future. Chris, along with his trainer, coach James Parlow, laid the foundation for the skills we see today. As soon as you dribble the ball, bring your shoulders into your chest and make a flush with both hands. Perform a face-down fadeaway shot from the same position. Pull up the center back in the pick-and-roll. During the transition and creating handles for others from coast to coast.
“I feel like every year I'm twice as good as the year before, that's the goal. Just development. A lot of skill work, working on having a lot of skills,” Chris said. “The goal was to be a versatile big man who can guard all positions, handle the ball, shoot, dribble, all those types of things. That was the plan and I worked hard and got better and eventually it became became a reality.
Although everything fell into place, Chris was forced to sit out his entire sophomore season after transferring to Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. Transfer rules ruled him ineligible. While the team won its second consecutive state championship, Chris was holed up in the lab trying to close the gap between himself and the top prospects who had been struggling since middle school. “I just thought, Go to the gym and keep up with everyone,” Chris said.
He entered the summer with a Big Easy-sized chip and led the school to its third consecutive state championship the following season, averaging 13.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Now, he's posting a double-double at Missouri's acclaimed Link Academy.
In a program that has produced the likes of Ja'Kobe Walter, Jordan Walsh and Texas freshman Tre Johnson, Cenac Jr. ) is taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. He took on the role of team captain, choosing to lead through action and letting his voice follow as he developed habits for his future. “The most important thing to me right now is winning a national championship with the guys I have at Link,” Chris said.
The journey has been worth it, with the seventh-highest ranking among players in the 2025 class. There are more levels to climb before reaching the final goal.
“It feels good, but at the same time, it's not the only place I want to be. Where I'm ranked right now, it's cool. But the NBA, and being in the NBA long-term, is the main goal. I can't be complacent.
Photo via Getty Images. Portrait of Marcus Stevens.
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