For a high school senior, Chris Cenac Jr already has an above average resume. Louisiana high school state champion. Gold medalist with Team USAB U17. First player in the state of Louisiana. Five star accommodation. NBPA Top 100 Camp MVP. And over the past year, he's moved up the entire ranking board from outside the top 50 to comfortably dominate the top ten.
The past 12 months have been a series of camps, tournaments, events and holding clinics for defenders and offensive threats alike. And widespread recognition has duly come. “It just happened, as my freshman, sophomore year. “I realized I loved basketball when I finished my sophomore year and I kept wanting to play,” said Chris. “Because many people just give up, but I continued to work hard, it encouraged me.”
The 6-10 center with a pocket guard has always been one of the tallest of his peers. But it wasn't until his first season at Riverside Academy that he began to build his future. Alongside his coach, coach James Parlow, Chris laid the foundation for the skill set we see today. A single drop, shoulder to chest, straight into a two-handed flush. Face up and fadeaways in the same place. Pull up between pick-and-roll. Coast-to-coast creative handles on transitions and more.
“I feel like every year I'm twice as good as the year before, which is the goal. It's just progress. Multi-skill work, multi-skill work,” said Chris. “The goal was to be a big man who can guard all areas, handle the ball, shoot the ball, take someone off the dribble, all those types of things. That was our plan, I worked to get better and it came to life.”
Although the pieces fell into place, Chris was forced to sit out his sophomore season after transferring to the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. Transfer rules ruled him ineligible. While the team went on to capture its second straight championship, Chris was holed up in the lab trying to close the gap between himself and the elite prospects who had been chasing him since middle school. “I was just thinking, Be in the gym and get everyone,” said Chris.
He entered the summer with a Big Easy-sized chip on his shoulder and led the school to its third straight title the following season, averaging 13.9 points and 10.2 boards a game. Now, he's taking his doubles game to the prestigious Link Academy in Missouri.
In a program that has produced the likes of Ja'Kobe Walter, Jordan Walsh and Texas freshman Tre Johnson, Cenac Jr is using every leaf that comes his way. He has taken on the role of team manager, choosing to lead with actions and let his voice follow as he forms the habits of his future. “The most important thing for me right now is to win the national title with these guys I'm at Link with,” said Chris.
The journey was rewarding, as high as the No. 7 player in the class of 2025. But that feeling of participation is not over. There are many 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. Levels now, good. But the NBA, and it stays in the NBA for a long time, is the main goal. I can't be complacent.”
Photos via Getty Images. Photo by Marcus Stevens.
