No. 1 2025 center Cenac commits to Houston

Top 10 prospect Chris Sinek Jr., the No. 1 center in the 2025 class has committed. Houston — the program’s highest-ranked recruit in the modern era and giving the Cougars the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation.

Cenac chose the Cougars over a final list that also included LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Kentucky and Tennessee. Home-state option LSU was firmly in the mix for most of Cenac’s recruitment, while Kentucky made a push over the summer and Tennessee has tried to close the gap in recent weeks.

But Houston has been in strong position for Cenac for much of the fall, and the big man’s relationship with head coach Calvin Sampson and assistant coach Quanas White was a key factor.

“I built a great relationship with Coach Sampson, Coach White and the rest of the staff. They have a plan to develop me, and I trust them,” Cenac told ESPN. “I know Coach Sampson is going to coach me hard. I want it and I need it. I’m a coachable player. People only see Coach Sampson on the court — he has a sense of humor. has a good sense of humor, and he’s a really funny guy.”

Cenac is shaping up to be a projected lottery pick in the 2026 mock draft.

“I want to go to a winning program and prepare to help them win more,” Cenac said. “At the same time, they can help me prepare my game for the next level after Houston.”

A 6-foot-10 center, Cenac had a breakout spring on the Puma Pro16 circuit and then backed it up by dominating the USA Basketball U-17 Minicamp and NBPA Top 100 Camp. He made the U17 national team and helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal at the FIBA ​​U17 World Cup, averaging 8.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in seven games off the bench.

Cenac has a 7-4 wingspan that allows him to contest shots, block shots and get deflections. Offensively, he produces inside and outside with back-to-the-basket moves, footwork and an effective jump hook. He also has an impressive face-up game, comfortable out to the 3-point line. He already shows the rim-running, mobility, shot-blocking and touch of today’s modern big man.

I number 7 ESPN 100Cenac became the Cougars’ highest-rated recruit since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. Cenac joins a group that already includes top 25 guards. Isaiah Harwell (No. 14) And Kingston Flemings (No. 21) and the Four Star Guard Bryce Jackson.