The Boston Celtics steamrolled their way to a 134-99 win over a youthful Chicago Bulls team. That turned Monday night's matchup at TD Garden into a chance for Chris Cenac Jr. to get his first NBA minutes.
"It was pretty cool," Cenac told Hardwood Houdini a day later. "Just stayed ready and went out there and competed."
His phone was blowing up with congratulatory messages after the game. Even better, he got his first official bucket. Baylor Scheierman found him as he lifted from the corner to the slot. Cenac caught the ball a couple of feet beyond the arc, let it fly with confidence, and buried a 3 that barely grazed the net.
"It felt good," said the Celtics' first-round pick. "Just all the work paying off in the gym with [director of player development] Craig [Luschenat], getting shots up every day. So, it was only right for my first shot to go in."
What Chris Cenac Jr. is learning about the NBA
The six-foot-11 stretch-four/center got plenty of run in the preseason. But once the games count, it's a different beast. Not in terms of what wins and loses, but the intensity amplifies.
Before the New Orleans, Louisiana, native got his first official minutes on the parquet, he had a front-row seat to observe that difference in a pair of marquee matchups.
Boston squared off against the Detroit Pistons in its season opener. Then, the team returned home to host the New York Knicks, earning a 107-103 victory.
What has stood out to Cenac at the start of his first regular season?
"It's just [a] higher competitive level. Everybody's out there trying to win, so the games are a little more intense, a little faster, a little more attention to detail," he shared.
Chris Cenac Jr.'s NBA debut a promising glimpse into his future
As the rookie mentioned, he has worked tirelessly with Craig Luschenat. No day is wasted. As the son of two parents who work multiple jobs, that relentless hustle is embedded in him.
It's at the heart of why, as a top-seven recruit, he thrived in Kelvin Sampson's demanding program at the University of Houston. It's no surprise to see him applying that work ethic with Luschenat.
That includes the time they're putting in from beyond the arc. It's fitting that it's where Cenac's first bucket came from. Being a reliable three-point threat raises his ceiling.
It's an important development for him. However, there are other ways he can make an impact on offense. The 19-year-old can help the Celtics win the most important game within the game: The possession battle. He's also an underrated passer. And he has the length, athleticism, and handles to beat opposing bigs off the dribble. Being an effective screener and reliable pick-and-roll partner is another critical skill. He could be a lovable lob threat for Boston's primary ball handlers.
Chris Cenac Jr. could be special on defense
He could be even better on this end of the floor than the other. He has a pterodactyl-like 7'5" wingspan and a 9'0.5" standing reach. He also moves well for his size.
In college, his role with the Cougars masked how lethal a shot blocker he could be. However, he has immense potential as a weak-side rim protector. His physical gifts and motor also mean he's a constant threat to swat shots from behind. In Summer League and the preseason, that was quickly on display.
Cenac has the mobility and length to be a versatile and switchable defender. He can also cover considerable ground in just a few strides. That allows him to protect the rim and get to the corner to challenge the most efficient 3s.
The Celtics' rookie is raw. The team and the fan base must be patient. However, he has all the tools and a tremendous work ethic. He is also in an elite player development program. Monday, Cenac got his first official taste of the NBA. It showcased the potential he is already converting into production.
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