Top-5 prospect Chris Cenac commits to Houston, becomes highest-ranked recruit ever

Chris Cenac, a Five-Star Plus+ prospect in the 2025 class, has committed to the University of Houston.

Ranked 4th overall nationally by On3, the 6-foot-10 power forward originally from New Orleans, chose the Cougars over offers from Kentucky, Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, and Baylor.

Cenac, who attends Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, becomes the highest-ranked prospect to commit to the Houston program.

Chris Cenac becomes the third commitment in Houston’s loaded recruiting class, joining Five-Star Plus+ SG Isiah Harwell (No. 8 nationally) and four-star PG Kingston Flemings (No. 14 nationally).

*Rankings are according to On3’s Top-150 Player Rankings.

Scouting Report

“Chris Cenac has a great frame. It is projectable with long arms and natural fluidity. Cenac has good touch with good hands. He is a threat to step out and knock down a shot with his feet set. He needs to continue working on his balance and feet on the shot, but the release is consistent. Cenac is an excellent area rebounder. Making a concerted effort to high point and secure every board. He still needs strength, especially to his core and base. There is defensive upside. Cenac has a fluidity when he moves. He can open his hips and slide his feet. He also has natural timing around the rim. Now it is all about learning the angles, rotations, and footwork on that end. There is a high ceiling with Cenac as a lot of his tools translate to the highest levels of basketball. It is all about reps and development. He is still on the younger end for his 2025 class.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw

Cenac’s NIL Valuation worth over $1M

Chris Cenac currently holds a $1.2M On3 NIL Valuation, which ranks 8th in high school basketball.

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

About On3 NIL Valuation, Brand Value, Roster Value

While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.

The On3 NIL Valuation accounts for an athlete’s roster value and brand value. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. Brand value factors in an athlete’s personal brand and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.