Chris Cenac Jr. just sent a message that Joe Mazzulla will absolutely love

The Celtics' draft class arrived in Boston on Monday afternoon. Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell hopped off a plane at about 3 PM ET and went straight to the gym. After returning there Tuesday morning, the two took part in an annual tradition for the franchise's rookie selections.

Their introduction to the organization begins with participating in the team's deep-rooted commitment to the community. It's an early opportunity to connect with the city's people and culture.

"It feels like home already," said Cenac after partaking in the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation's 'First Assist' event. He and Mitchell joined local youth on a guided tour led by Live Like a Local, highlighting iconic landmarks in the city as well as the Celtics' history. They also helped oversee youth basketball activities at the Reggie Lewis Center.

And just as Cenac already feels a comfort and connection with the city, his new head coach's approach should also bring a sense of familiarity.

Kelvin Sampson's Hard Coaching Prepared Cenac for Boston

After the Celtics selected the former Houston Cougars big man with the No. 27 overall pick, Brad Stevens noted that his response to being in a hard-nosed program influenced the decision to bring him on board.

"In everything that we've learned about Chris, and everything that coach has told me, is that he was pretty hard on him, and he was on him, and all he did was come to work, and I think that that's a really impressive quality for a young guy," said Stevens shortly after the first round concluded.

The 19-year-old New Orleans native left high school as a consensus five-star recruit, ranked seventh overall. He could've chosen a destination that would cater to him. Instead, he opted for tough love.

That brought the best out of Cenac. Stevens saw him play in person several times. He always left the gym impressed by his motor, work ethic, and competitive spirit. Those traits will help a rookie whose game is raw but whose upside is immense, as he pursues the best version of himself.

"It just makes you want to be better. When you're playing with good players and [a] great coach, [it] makes you just want to be better for the team overall," voiced Cenac while discussing what it is about hard coaching and the way Kelvin Sampson challenged him at Houston that helped get the most out of him.

That message figures to be music to Joe Mazzulla's ears. Boston's bench boss has a gift for reading and connecting with people. He knows how to communicate with his players and the ways to push them to help them grow.

A prime example is Neemias Queta, whom Mazzulla can be quite hard on. That approach works best for the Celtics' starting center. Challenging him in that manner doesn't capture the entire dynamic of their relationship. However, it has played a role in Queta's evolution from being fourth on the depth chart to a top-10 player at his position in the 2025-26 regular season.

With Cenac, his new head coach, already has proof of concept. He knows he can push him, as he has done with Queta, and that the rookie will respond favorably.

For a player who stands over six-foot-10, with a sprawling 7'5" wingspan, and has impressive mobility and athleticism for his size, that mindset and the drive this teenage rookie possesses are foundational elements well worth betting on.

Cenac's also joining an elite player development program. While he had hoped to hear his name called earlier on draft night, as Sampson told him, Boston's a great landing spot for him.

His collegiate head coach's message after the Celtics were the team to pluck him out of the green room?

"I'm coming into a great organization and coming into a place where it's a great fit for me," shared Cenac about starting his career in an infrastructure that was worth the wait.

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