Houston Cougars power forward Chris Cenac Jr. should be a talent that the 76ers should have circled on their big board.
The Philadelphia 76ers will have several intriguing options in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The organization is currently navigating the ups and downs of an interesting 2025-26 NBA season. The team has seen Embiid perform at a near-all-star level; however, this roster has been plagued by inconsistencies all season, which may force them to seek areas of improvement, notably through the NBA Draft.
One intriguing prospect that the 76ers could target at the draft is Houston Cougars power forward Chris Cenac Jr.
Cenac Jr., a 6-foot-11 forward, is currently having a solid season for a Cougars team that boasts a 23-3 record and is expecting to make noise come tournament time.
Cenac Jr. has been a key part of Houston's system, impacting both ends of the floor with his versatility, length, and scoring ability. So far, the freshman is averaging 9.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 50.2% from the field.
Cenac, a native of New Orleans, has shown great mobility for his size, running the floor well in transition and finishing effectively at the rim, demonstrating comfort operating as both a finisher in the half court and a scoring threat.
Defensively, his instincts stand out the most. His ability as a rebounder and shot blocker projects well to the NBA, where he has shown himself to be a legit rim protector, adding great value to a team like the 76ers.
The freshman is climbing up the draft boards, with many projections placing him ahead of the 76ers' expected draft pick. If Philadelphia is serious about landing him, the 76ers might need to consider a trade-up scenario.
Still, the franchise's long-term future is brighter than ever. V.J. Edgecombe is one of the top rookies in this year's class, and Tyrese Maxey is hitting his prime.
If drafted by the 76ers, the team would be adding more size up front to the roster to pair with Joel Embiid in the near future, providing long-term defensive upside.
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Elijah Hamilton is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable.