Backup Boston Celtics wing Hugo Gonzalez and his Spanish National Team dropped another contest in FIBA EuroBasket play on Monday, August 31 in a 108-106 overtime loss to the Greek National Team just days after dropping their first-ever EuroBasket tilt to Neemias Queta and the Portuguese National Team.
It was another dud for Gonzalez in terms of offensive efficiency, the Madrid native putting up just 4 points on 1-of-4 shooting overall (he also went 0-of-1 from beyond the arc and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free throw line in the loss) along with chipping in 3 rebounds and an ***** ist. But with just under 11 minutes of floor time with Spain in this game, the defeat is not on the Boston reserve's shoulders, Spain's veteran players failing to hold up their end in the loss.
With the defeat, the Spanish National Team drops to 5-2 in EuroBasket play to date after back-to-back losses following a narrow win over the Georgian National Team in July.
Spain will next play the Montenegrin National Team at a time and location to be determined on Nov. 26, 2026.
They will almost certainly do so without Gonzalez, who will be playing for the Celtics in the 202-27 NBA regular season by that point of the year.

#national #team #gonzalez #spanish

Josh Chambers: Joe Mazzulla says his goal as Celtics coach is to be forgotten "If the people around you didn't do what they do… I wouldn't do anything. The thing I reflect on the most is… I think you have to be willing to be forgotten. I think that's kind of my main goal." "I want to be forgotten about. Because that means after you… It was better. I think that's what it means to be a Celtic. However long you play, coach, work for the Celtics…" "Your job is to keep it exactly where it's at or bring it better. You cannot bring it down. If you leave and it gets worse, that's your fault. If you leave and they win, and they forgot about you, you did your job." "I talk about that every day with the staff. Our job is to one day be forgotten about because you did your job. It became about something bigger than you." "It's a burden and a love for being with the Celtics… But it's a responsibility. I think we could take that into our daily life. Can I leave it so much better that they don't remember me because the next person came and was better?"
x.com
On draft night, when teams Cenac had worked out for such as the 76ers, Raptors, and Knicks passed on him, Cenac seemed discouraged to Sampson. But the coach told him the night had a favorable result. "I said, 'Chris, I'm glad those teams didn't take you,' " he said. "Then when Boston took him, I said, 'They believe in you, Chris. You went to the right team.' Brad Stevens is one of the best basketball people in the world, and I've been so impressed with [coach] Joe Mazzulla." — 8/22/2026 Boston Globe
In June, while the NBA Finals and the Liga Betclic Finals were taking place, Neemias Queta had the opportunity to show Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla around Lisbon, Benfica and Barreiro, where Queta grew up and played. What did Mazzulla tell him about what he saw in Portugal and Portuguese basketball? "I think he liked what he saw. He said there are people who can make it there if they really want to work hard. And I think he really loved Portugal. I think the thing he liked the most was the food. It was a good time. He came alone, but he said next year he's coming with his wife and kids. We'll welcome them with open arms," Queta revealed. As for his expectations for the Celtics next season, Queta expects them to "be competitive again." "People have already started saying again that the other teams are the good ones and that we don't have enough quality. But I think, with the group we have, the people we have in the locker room? And our coach?" — 8/19/2026 A Bola
A February 4th game between the Celtics and the Houston Rockets served as an inflection point in Harper's season; he started for the first time in his career, guarded Rockets star Kevin Durant, and showed himself — and the world — he belonged. It's a game that Joe Mazzulla has pointed to as well in that it showcased Harper's readiness and preparation. "The first time I really played meaningful minutes was when I started in Houston, and that kind of came

Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta put us all on notice in the 2025-26 NBA regular season, making it clear to fans and foes of the storied ball club alike that he is a force in this league. But then in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Queta let us know he still has plenty of growth ahead of him if he wants to become one of the NBA's best centers, his frequent fouls and occasional missteps in high-leverage postseason contexts telling that tale to those who had ears to listen.
The hosts of the "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to tell us more about how Queta can take another leapt with the Celtics in the 2026-27 regular season soon to arrive.
Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about what the Lisbon native needs to do to take his game to the next level.
Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:
Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

#regular #playoffs

Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta seems to be a bit of an NBA history buff given his personal choice of where the Portuguese center likes to play most. Speaking in a recent interview with the Portuguese outlet A Bola (translation via Google), the Lisbon native shared that he prefers to take the court against Boston's biggest rivals in their home arenas.
"Going to play against the (New York) Knicks at Madison Square Garden is excellent," said Queta of the reigning NBA champs. "There's always that whole history. Going to Crypto Arena against the (Los Angeles) Lakers is always special because there's that rivalry."
"But now I also like going to the (Los Angeles) Clippers' arena," added the Boston big, "now that it's a super, top-of-the-line arena, full of technology and very futuristic." Even so, there is one matchup in particular that Queta is looking forward to – and it doesn't seem to matter where it happens first.
"I've already silenced everyone on the court, the only one left is Jaylen Brown," explained Queta of his former teammate and current Philadelphia 76er.
"When we played against each other (in practice), we always told each other not to even try to jump or dunk on each other. And now we're rivals… It's going to be a clash of **** ans in the basket."

#portuguese #even

The Boston Celtics have some big questions to answer next season. Which of them are the biggest in need of a resolution by the end of the 2026-27 NBA regular season? Several key questions heading into the coming campaign loom large for Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and the rest of the front office.
Is Neemias Queta ready to start for the Celtics? Is Mitchell Robinson going to stay healthy enough if Queta is not the starter? What can Boston get out of vet guard Mike Conley? Will rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell be ready enough to play? Will the trio of wings Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Hugo Gonzalez take a real step forward to help make up for Jaylen Brown's exit? And will Paul George be healthy most of the season?
The hosts of the "Celtics Beat" podcast, Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti, took some time to talk with Celtics ***** yst Dan Greenberg on a recent episode of their show about all of the above. Check it out below!
Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:
Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

#queta

Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta will be suiting up for his Portuguese National Team in FIBA World Cup play this summer in the qualifier window games set to go down in Europe, according to new reporting from Eurohoops Dot Net contributor Stefan Acevski.
Per the Eurohoops Dot Net reporter, Portugal finished their slate of games in the initial phase of the qualifier games with an overall record of 3-3, and is now waiting for the start of the second round of FIBA World Cup qualifying play. In the first segment of that play, they will take on the Spanish National Team on August 28 and play host to the Georgian National Team this August 31.
"The roster of 16 players for these matches has now been announced, with the standout name being Neemias Queta, who recently extended his contract," adds Acevski.
Coming off a season that saw the Lisbon native have the best regular season of his NBA career to date, only to stumble in postseason play, more high-leverage action for Queta ahead of Boston's looming 2026-27 regular season can only help his development.
Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

#season #eurohoops

LAS VEGAS — Chris Cenac Jr. wasn’t expected to be available when the Celtics picked at No. 26 last month. However, the raw big man slipped down draft boards, leaving Boston with an emerging young talent to invest in.
The early returns remained promising on Monday night as Cenac Jr. bounced back from a tough first half to finish with 16 points, five rebounds and four blocks in Boston’s 102-90 loss to the Hawks.
Through three games, Cenac Jr. is averaging three blocks per game, putting him among the league leaders in Summer League as a 19-year-old. There have been flashes on both ends of the floor despite some inconsistency.
“Chris is really impressive, especially with his size,” Amile Jefferson said at a recent practice. “He has super big hands. He’s really mobile, he can move. It’s been really good. Just in this last week, see the growth, see how the coaching has impacted him, getting him to play really hard, screening, making points and then just being a connector for our team.”
With Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta and Luka Garza all ahead of him on Boston’s depth chart, the Celtics know they can take a long-term approach with Cenac’s development. The foundation in place give them a lot to work with since his athleticism and leaping ability look like he belongs in the NBA already.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla never played in the NBA, so he hasn't experienced the physical toll of an 82-game regular season. However, in order to better understand his players, the reigning Coach of the Year tries to simulate the daily grind of the NBA within the Octagon.
Mazzulla is a huge martial arts fan and has attended multiple UFC fights while coaching the C's. His passion goes beyond fandom, though. The New England native told Ariel Helwani — one of the leading journalists covering professional fighting — in an exclusive interview that he's practiced mixed martial arts for the last 4 to 5 years. That training doesn't stop during the middle of the busy NBA regular season either, as Mazzulla believes it's a way for him to connect to the fatigue his players might be feeling.
"I have a lot of respect for our team and the guys in the NBA," he began. "And they push themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally all year long...I can go through the whole season and not have any physical, taxing moments...So, the more I can kind of meet them where they're at and put yourself in that position, I think it helps have empathy for them and understand what they go through."
Mazzulla hasn't just been figuratively meeting players where they're at. He's literally done it over the course of his four seasons as head coach, especially this summer. He traveled to Portugal to visit Celtics center Neemias Queta, he went to Spain to watch Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez play, and he made trips within the United States to see Celtics wings Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh in their home states of Nebraska and Texas, respectively.
The former West Virginia basketball captain has a unique ability to level the playing field with others that even goes beyond his players. During the 2025-26 campaign, Mazzulla lowered his press conference podium so that he could be closer to where members of the media sit rather than tower over them. And prior to the season, he helped organize a basketball scrimmage between Celtics coaches and reporters that made national headlines.

There was a quote making the rounds that Jaylen Brown was the seventh-best player on the Celtics. Jaylen Brown grades out as the fifth most impactful player on the roster, behind Tatum, Queta, White, and Pritchard. But here's the context that matters: Brown also carried an enormous load. Last season, 35.2% of Boston's possessions ended in a Brown shot, free throw attempt, or turnover, one of the highest usage rates in the entire league. That usage cuts both ways. If Brown's role were reduced, his impact metrics could actually climb. Fewer possessions could mean better efficiency on offense and more energy to pour into his defense. So while I don't think any serious **** ytical person would call Brown the seventh-best Celtic, I do think it's fair to call him overvalued relative to his contract moving forward. And that's the real question the Celtics have to sit with: what is Brown producing in his current role, and what are they paying for it?
hoopinformatics.leaflet.pub
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jaylen Brown grades out as the fifth most impactful …

After the best regular season of his still-young NBA career, the Boston Celtics have elected to extend big man Neemias Queta. And they made it official on Monday (July 6) via a release circulated to the media highlighting the Portuguese center's production. Per team policy, details of the extension have not been made public. But Queta's new extension has been reported on elsewhere, with senior ESPN reporter Shams Charania having previously shared that the Boston big has earned himself a four-year, $56 million extension.
"Queta ... appeared in 76 games (75 starts) for Boston last season, averaging career-bests of 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds. 1.7 **** ists, and 1.3 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game," says the release. "The 26-year-old shot 65.3 percent from the field in 2025-26, ranking third in the NBA and breaking the franchise record for field goal percentage in a season (...). Queta, who finished fifth in the league in net rating last season (13.2), also became the first Celtic with at least 100 blocks, 600 rebounds, and 60 steals in a season since Robert Parish in 1990-91."
"On March 1 vs. (the) Philadelphia (76ers), Queta tallied a career-high 27 points (...), 17 rebounds (...), three **** ists, one steal, and two blocks in 31 minutes, becoming the first Celtic with at least 25 points and 10 offensive rebounds in a game since Parish in 1989," it adds.
Reminding us that Queta was part of the 2024 NBA Championship Celtics squad, the release also notes that Queta has been with the team for three seasons, where he put up 7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 **** ists, and 1.0 blocks in 18.8 minutes per game.
"The Lisbon, Portugal native joined the Celtics on a two-way contract Sept. 17, 2023, after spending his first two NBA seasons with Sacramento," it relates. "Queta was originally selected by the Kings with the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft following three years at Utah State University."

NBA free agency 2026: Trae Young, Neemias Queta highlight best and worst contracts handed out during first week originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 free agency class wasn't a particularly great one. And we're still waiting for the biggest shoe to drop as LeBron James continues to weigh his options on what new team to join.
Despite the lack of headline names, there were still some very good and very bad deals signed this summer. Contracts for role players may not seem like a big deal, but they are oftentimes the biggest value-adds for contending rosters. Saving money on your fourth or fifth-best players are the type of smart moves on the margins that allow teams to get bigger stars on their payroll down the road.
There were several of those types of transactions. Some teams made out like bandits, while others made decisions that are going to cause a lot of pain down the line. Using my salary model, here's what the best and worst contracts of the summer were.
OFFSEASON TRADE GRADES: Giannis to Heat | LaMelo Ball to Wolves | Julius Randle to Nets | Ja Morant to Blazers | Kawhi Leonard to Raptors | Jaylen Brown to Sixers, Paul George to Celtics

Gilberto Mora earned his second consecutive start in the knockout rounds when he was selected to the Starting XI against England in the World Cup round of 16.
The 17-year-old Mora previously started against Ecuador in the Round of 32 and in the final group game against Czechia when he made history as Mexico’s youngest World Cup starter In the first game of the tournament against South Africa he came off the bench and at that time was Mexico’s youngest player to enter a World Cup match.
More: Meet Gilberto Mora the 17 year old Mexico phenom
Gilberto Mora got his third consecutive start at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when he was named to the starting XI against England.
Earlier in this World Cup, he became the youngest Mexican ever to play in a World Cup game at 17 years and 240 days old, as a second-half substitute against South Africa. The previous record was set by Manuel "Chaquetas" Rosas in 1930, when he was 18.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is going with Gabriel Martinelli to replace injured midfielder Lucas Paquetá for the team's round of 16 match against Norway on Sunday.
Martinelli scored the go-ahead goal late in stoppage time against **** an in the round of 32 on Monday after entering as a substitute in the 66th minute. Paquetá limped off at halftime of that game with a hamstring injury.
Norway got defender Julian Ryerson back after he missed the past two games from an injury he sustained against Senegal at the Meadowlands in group play on June 22. Marcus Pederson, who replaced Ryerson and scored that day, was not available for Norway against Brazil because he was not feeling well, coach Ståle Solbakken said.
___
See more of AP's World Cup coverage here

Brazil is set to face Norway in their Round of 16 fixture on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Find out the lineups for both teams, as the managers have already decided the players selected for the starting XI.
Lucas Paqueta was withdrawn at half-time against ***** an, and he sits out this game vs Norway. Gabriel Martinelli starts in his place.
Other than that, the team remains the same, with Matheus Cunha leading the line alongside Vinicius Junior and Rayan supporting him from the flanks.
Brazil playing XI: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Martinelli; Rayan, Cunha, Vini Jr.

Brazil are through, but the win over ****** an raised a couple of issues that matter before the meeting with Norway. Lucas Paqueta went off at half-time, Casemiro followed before the end, and while there is optimism around the latter, Paqueta looks the bigger concern.
If Paqueta does not make it, Danilo Santos is expected to come in. That is the obvious adjustment, and probably the only significant one. Carlo Ancelotti is not expected to rip up a side that did enough to reach the knockout rounds, even if the performance against ****** an was hardly flawless.
Alisson should keep his place behind a back four of Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel and Douglas Santos. In midfield, Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro are set to anchor things, with Danilo Santos likely to step in if Paqueta is ruled out. Further forward, Rayan and Matheus Cunha should support Vinicius Junior.
Predicted Brazil XI: Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos, Guimaraes, Casemiro, Danilo Santos, Rayan, Cunha, Vini Jr.
Casemiro was substituted shortly before Gabriel Martinelli scored the late winner against ****** an, but the expectation is that he will be fit enough to face Norway. Paqueta is a different case. Brazil are waiting, and that usually tells you enough. When a player comes off at half-time in a knockout match, it is rarely trivial.

Brazil and Norway face off this Sunday (5), at 5 p.m., at New Jersey Stadium, for a place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.
The winner will face Mexico or England. The loser goes home. A draw sends the match to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
Who will win, Brazil or Norway? And who should replace Lucas Paquetá? Leave your take in the comments box!
Raphinha has recovered and is expected to start on the bench. That leaves Lucas Paquetá as the only absentee, with a thigh injury.
Carlo Ancelotti could bring in Danilo Santos and keep the 4-3-3 tactical setup.

It was a picture that left a thousand words unsaid. Had Casemiro, smiling widely with both hands on the trophy, been covered in Jude Bellingham’s honesty cloak, the post-match interview may have seen the Brazil midfielder explain why he did not deserve the gong.
He was neither the first nor last peculiar selection for the ‘Superior Player of the Match’ at this World Cup 2026 but the decision to place him on a pedestal after Monday’s anxious, unconvincing win against ****** an was certainly the oddest.
Only Lucas Paqueta’s hamstring twinge may have saved Casemiro from being hooked at the interval for the second time in this tournament following a 45-minute spell in which he allowed Kaishu Sano to put ****** an in front, collided with Paqueta and Matheus Cunha - yes, his teammates - in farcical fashion, and puffed around uncomfortably as a sad caricature of his former self.
That he headed in the equaliser was no doubt redemptive but what preceded it was a catalogue of errors to make pub players blush; although Casemiro still appeared delighted when talking about the importance of mindset and spirit as he grasped the award.
Other bewildering nominations have followed. Cristiano Ronaldo was hailed for his role in Portugal’s nerve-shredding victory against Croatia in Toronto despite his only registered touch in the box being the penalty to equalise before he was substituted.

Morocco stole hearts with their run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the north Africans are once again shining on the global stage, although there is one important difference this time - the addition of teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The 18-year-old was the talk of social media following his superb showing in Morocco's tournament opener against Brazil, overshadowing the established opposition midfield duo of Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes.
Both those players featured in the Premier League last season and after becoming one of the stars of the opening weeks of the World Cup, Lille midfielder Bouaddi is attracting the attention of the biggest clubs in England and Europe.
"Anyone who has watched him at Lille knows his level," former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul tells BBC Sport. "He is regarded as a top prospect.
"Against players like Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes, he showed not just quality but personality - a kind of positive arrogance. He had confidence, a great aura and a strong presence on the pitch. He thrives in that environment."

Brazil forward Endrick highlighted his versatility on Thursday as a potential **** et against Norway should Carlo Ancelotti turn to him in their World Cup last-16 encounter.
The Real Madrid attacker is one of the leading candidates to replace the injured Lucas Paqueta, who had started alongside Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield before suffering a hamstring injury.
Including Endrick in the line-up on Sunday would likely require a change to the three-man midfield system Brazil have used throughout the tournament, although Ancelotti has indicated he is open to change.
"At Lyon, I helped the team a lot playing as a number nine. I could play on the right wing and I could also play as a false nine," said the 19-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan in France.
"The coach knows my qualities and characteristics very well because we spent a year together at Real Madrid. He was always watching me and understanding how I could help the team."

On Tuesday afternoon, the Boston Celtics decided the fates of several of their young players. They exercised the team options in the contracts of guys like Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Dalano Banton and re-signed Amari Williams on a deal that's yet to have its details confirmed. The odd man out at the moment could be guard Max Shulga, as he didn't receive a qualifying offer after spending his rookie season with the Celtics and will become a free agent this offseason.
There could be a path back for Shulga, though. According to Celtics writer Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, Shulga could join Boston's Summer League roster this July. The first Summer League game for the Celtics tips off in Las Vegas on Friday, July 10, and will provide the former second-round pick with an opportunity to prove himself and maybe score another minimal contract.
During the 2025-26 campaign, Shulga entered just 11 games and averaged 3.3 minutes per outing. He never made much of an impact in his little playing time, however, the Ukraine native put together 14.8 points, 5.7 ******* ists, and 4.6 rebounds per outing in 13 contests with Boston's G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.
These numbers are strong, but not exactly the kind that guarantee a player an NBA roster spot. The 24-year-old will aim to show his worth in Sin City while playing alongside a collection of young Celtics, including rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell who were just selected in the first and second rounds of the 2026 NBA Draft, respectively.
Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Endrick has once again found himself at the centre of attention after helping Brazil secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over ***** an in the World Cup Round of 32.
Brazil were pushed all the way by a disciplined ***** anese side before finding a route back into the contest through Casemiro's equaliser and Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time winner.
The introduction of Endrick in the second half proved influential, with the young forward adding energy and creativity after replacing the injured Lucas Paqueta.
His latest performance has inevitably reignited discussions surrounding the Endrick Real Madrid debate, particularly as uncertainty continues over his role next season.
The Brazilian youngster spent the past six months on loan at Lyon, a move that allowed him to gain valuable first-team experience and regain confidence after struggling for opportunities at Real Madrid.

So this was what Brazil hired Carlo Ancelotti to bring. The Italian won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid. Each brought a crucial injury-time goal in either the semi-final or the final; at times more than one.
And so, as Bruno Guimaraes pierced the ****** an defence and Gabriel Martinelli angled a 95th-minute shot into the far corner of the net, the manager with the lowest heart rate in football had seen it all before.
Ancelotti can be the king of cool, the man who does not panic. His capacity for calm thinking in pressurised situations nevertheless contributed to a comeback that extends Brazil’s hope of gaining a sixth star on their shirts. Two of his changes had a catalytic effect: first introducing Endrick for Lucas Paqueta at half-time, giving Brazil a greater attacking threat, and then summoning Martinelli to replace Matheus Cunha.
At half-time, when ****** an deservedly led in Houston, the danger was that this was remembered as Brazil’s worst World Cup. They have reached the last 16, or equivalent, in every tournament, the knockouts in all bar 1930 and 1966, the final eight on each occasion after 1990. Ancelotti can be the history-maker in cup competitions, but in the right way. He may be again.
His demeanour suggests he is so laidback that he is almost horizontal. Dressed in a three-piece suit, Ancelotti looked more like a dapper expert in antiques than a football coach. Yet part of his success lies in an ability to galvanise players decades his junior and with very different characters. Brazil emerged inspired after half-time. Their next quarter of an hour bore comparison with England’s 15-minute surge against Croatia. A managerial team talk led to a battering. And if Brazil then seemed to lose their momentum in the second half’s hydration break, they showed they have acquired the capacity for late drama that many another Ancelotti side has had.

BOSTON — The Celtics have their latest first-round pick, selecting Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr. at 27th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. It was clear the C’s could look to bolster their big man depth through the draft, and that’s what they did with Cenac.
Cenac figures to join a center rotation that already has Neemias Queta and Luka Garza. Queta is the projected starter after his breakout season. Of course, the Celtics could still add to their roster with free agency set for next week. How Cenac figures to be in the mix remains to be seen, but he’s officially with the C’s now.
Here are four things to know about Cenac, the Celtics’ newest first-round pick:
While college players are trending older in this current age, that isn’t the case for Cenac. He’s still just 19 and won’t turn 20 until next February. That means Cenac still has a lot of time to round out his game going forward. On the flip side, it also means he’s still a raw prospect coming out of Houston. Cenac was also rated as a five-star player coming out of high school and was nationally a top-10 prospect, per 247Sports.
The Celtics added some size with Cenac, who was measured at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan. That should fit right in at the next level. He’ll likely need to add some muscle and weight considering the league’s physicality, but Cenac has time to grow into an NBA body. Just don’t expect Cenac to be an immediate starter quite yet.

There were trade rumors aplenty on Tuesday, June 23, for the Boston Celtics, yet they held firm and kept the No. 27 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, using it to select power forward Chris Cenac Jr. out of Houston University.
The first-round pick is just 19 years old and stands tall at 6-foot-11. The former five-star recruit committed to play for the Houston Cougars in 2024 and averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in his freshman season spanning from 2025 to 2026. Despite his youth, he started nearly every game for the Cougars and declared for the draft in early April. He joins a long list of Celtics big men hailing from Louisiana, featuring the legendary Bill Russell, the great Robert Parish, and fan-favorite center Robert Williams III.
Cenac Jr. made a name for himself with his rebounding, as he was a double-double machine for the Coogs and used his length and athleticism to corral boards on both ends of the floor. He's not the most efficient scorer, shooting under 49 percent from the floor and averaging a little less than one 3-point make per outing.
His defensive statistics aren't remarkable either, but he has the strength and versatility to help the Celtics as a power forward or a stretch five. And if there's one thing Boston lacked during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, it was size. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid punished the C's when it mattered most and that ended up costing Boston the first round.
How Cenac Jr. fits in with his fellow Celtics bigs — including Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Amari Williams — remains to be seen. Perhaps he'll spend some time in Portland, Maine with the G League Celtics.

Celtics Have Reportedly Looked At Reunion With Their 2018 First Round Pick originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Celtics are looking to make a bigger impact at the rim next season, and front-court upgrades are on their mind.
Obviously, the Celtics reportedly trying to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo speaks to their desire to improve the frontcourt, but he is not the only option available. Following the Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Brad Stevens made a point to note his desire to add to the team in order to make more of an impact on the rim, and it's unlikely they won't pursue other options if they lose the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
During a livestream on Bleacher Report, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Celtics have looked into a reunion with Robert Williams III, who they drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2018.
"The Celtics, we've been told repeatedly, are looking at further upgrades in the front court," Fischer said on Monday. "As great as a development success as Neemias Queta was this year, Boston has looked at various center upgrades. They have looked at a reunion with Robert Williams III."

Brazil playmaker Lucas Paqueta says he has "great respect" for Scotland ahead of the decisive clash between the teams in Miami on Wednesday.
The five-time world champions sit top of Group C after following up their 1-1 draw with Morocco by beating Haiti 3-0 on Friday.
Scotland remain well placed to get out of the group phase for the first time in their history, particularly if they can secure a point against the Brazilians.
Former West Ham midfielder Paqueta insists there will be no danger of complacency from him when the sides meet, saying at a press conference on Sunday: "All the teams at the World Cup deserve respect. You have to study them and prepare as best as possible to face them.
"We have great respect for Scotland, but we also know we need to play our game and follow what the coach asks of us. Regardless of the opponent, our goal in every match is to win."

Scotland's strong midfield will be key to competing with Brazil on Wednesday, but the "sweltering afternoon heat" of Miami could mean a similar outcome to their 1982 meeting in Seville, fears South American football expert Tim Vickery.
The Scots took the lead in 44 years ago only to lose 4-1 but need to avoid a repeat if they are to progress to the knock-out stages for the first time.
Vickery expects Al-Ittihad's Fabinho to start alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta instead of Manchester United's Casemiro, who is on a yellow card and in danger of suspension.
"But central midfield is not their best area," he said of the current Brazil side on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "Scotland are quite strong there and can compete.
"Can they do it for the full 90 minutes? Memories of that fine Scottish side in '82 that held Brazil 1-1 at half time but in the second half in the heat of Seville couldn't keep it up.

Brazil issued a statement on Raphinha after the Barcelona star was forced off with an injury during Friday’s World Cup 2026 win over Haiti.
Raphinha looked quite emotional as he went off and Brazil have confirmed it’s another hamstring problem.
“Forward Raphinha felt pain in his right hamstring during the first half of the match against Haiti. The player has begun treatment and will be re-evaluated. We will let you know when we have more information,” said the CBF.
Brazil team-mate Lucas Paqueta says the team are hoping it’s not serious but are concerned for Raphinha.
“We were all worried, of course he’s going to feel it more. We hope it’s nothing serious, the least bad thing, we still need to wait for the tests. We all support him a lot so that it’s just a scare,” he said.

Endrick was one of the topics in Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference this Thursday (18).
And the Brazil head coach indicated that the Real Madrid forward is unlikely to start in this Friday’s (19) crucial clash against Haiti.
At first, he avoided confirming what the lineup will be for the match against the Caribbean side.
"No, I’ll let the team know tomorrow (Friday). I don’t think this is the right time. That’s all. I have no problem announcing the lineup now. There are no secrets in football. But I prefer to tell the players first."
The expectation is that Matheus Cunha and Danilo will start. And, according to ge, there is still a doubt between Paquetá and Danilo Santos.

Alexander Zverev put his grand slam heartache behind him to finally lift a major trophy at the French Open.
The German was presented with a golden opportunity in the absence of injured two-time winner Carlos Alcaraz and with Jannik Sinner losing early, and he battled to a 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-1 victory over Italy's Flavio Cobolli.
It is nearly six years since the German blew a golden chance to win the US Open against Dominic Thiem, while he also lost in Paris to Alcaraz two years ago and to Sinner at the Australian Open last year.
Another memory that came into Zverev's mind as he held the Coupe des Mousquetaires was the severe ankle injury he suffered during a semi-final against Rafael Nadal four years ago.
"This court is so special to me in so many ways," said the 29-year-old. "I've had the best moments of my life on this court, I had the worst moment of my life on this court.