Why On3 is higher than the industry on 4-star PF Chris Cenac

Chris Cenac is an intriguing prospect. Here at On3, we are higher than the industry on the 6-foot-10, 210-pound power forward prospect at New Orleans (LA) Isadore Newman ranking him as the No. 16 overall player in the 2025 On3 150. 

On3 leaves nothing to question when we talk about the objective of our rankings. The goal of our rankings is to assess a prospect’s long-term potential, ultimately manifested by the NBA Draft. Our ranking does not assess who had the best high school career or who will be the best college player. This is why we will shoot to end each cycle with 14 five-star prospects following the lead of the NBA Draft Lottery. This can be different from others, but our vision with rankings is draft night.

On3 has Cenac ranked No. 16. He is ranked No. 60 by 247, No. 39 by Rivals, and No. 34 for ESPN. Cenac is the No. 40 player in the 2025 on3 Industry Ranking. Criteria can be different across the industry when it comes to players and the order in which they are ranked. So let’s break down why On3 is higher on Chris Cenac than the industry.

The Updated 2025 On3 150

Chris Cenac’s Physical Frame

Chris Cenac looks the part of what you would expect a high-level forward prospect to look like. He is listed at 6-foot-10, and, while I have not seen an official measurement, he most certainly carries a plus wingspan. 

Cenac will need to continue adding strength to his base and his core and weight to his overall frame, but with his length and size, he has a head-start on the field. And the physical frame is just part of what makes Cenac so intriguing as a prospect. 

The way Cenac moves, when coupled with his listed height and lengthy arms, opens the eyes. Simply put, the four-star’s mobility is unique. While there is much more to being a high-level prospect than just the physical aspect, when you have those tools, it gives you a head start. 

Cenac’s Defensive Presence

Chris Cenac’s physical tools currently show up on the defensive end of the floor, where he is just scratching the surface, and already creating havoc around him. 

Given his lengthy 6-foot-10 frame, Cenac is a natural weak side-shot blocker. His standing reach is higher than most, so he is able to simply wall up and affect play around the basket. But he also carries a natural sense of timing. Cenac is able to block shots with his left hand, or right hand, and is learning how to keep the ball in play. 

Naturally, with Cenac’s given frame, you would expect him to block shots. However, what raises his ceiling even further is his ability to open his hips and slide his feet. At times during his Isadore Newman/LA games, Cenac will be playing at the top of the press, and turning the ball handler in the backcourt. 

Certainly, there is footwork and angles that he will need to clean up as he continues to progress, but his ability to switch and slide, or guard down a lineup to more perimeter-based forwards, or guard up a lineup and protect the rim, makes him very intriguing as a long-term prospect. 

The Offensive Pathway

I was able to see Noah Clowney early in his high school career before he ever started a varsity game. It is always good for your long-term eye to watch the growth of a player through high school and his one year of college, and become a first-round NBA Draft pick.

Chris Cenac’s offensive game could have a similar pathway to Clowney’s. Clowney was a down-low presence for the most part, but he would flash the ability to step out and knock down a catch-and-shoot three and he made his free throws. 

Cenac has a clean release on his shot, he is comfortable stepping out to the corners and taking threes. Playing up on the 17u LivOn team during Nike’s Peach Jam week, Cenac shot 74.4 percent from the free throw line. The form is clean and the release is consistent. He will need to continue to clean up his footwork and balance points through repetition, but you can clearly see the pathway.

Cenac runs the floor very well. He is able to switch ends quickly and turn defense into easy baskets. He is capable of pushing the break off the rebound, attacking open space on the floor. In the open court, he does not hold on to the ball too long which prevents him from picking up careless turnovers and fouls. 

In the half court, Cenac plays well out of the dunker spot, as a vertical floor spacer. He is also comfortable getting the ball on the block with a go-to move over his left shoulder. Cenac flashes well off the ball and has a quick release when catching the ball in traffic. 

While he is still adding to his offensive game, he has flashes that translate to the highest levels. The makings of a player who has a go–to on the block, can space the floor with the corner three, or act as a lob threat is interesting.

The Production is Already Consistent

While I said earlier that Chris Cenac shows flashes, that is not meant to say he does not put up numbers. Quite the opposite, Cenac consistently produces across the board. 

Starting with his LivOn program during Nike’s EYBL E16 Circuit regular season. Cenac played with his age group and averaged a double-double for the season. The 6-foot-10 forward scored 10.7 points, pulled down 10.8 rebounds, and blocked 1.4 shots per game. He finished with six double-doubles, including two 20-plus rebound games.

His production during the regular season earned up a call-up to the 17U team for Peach Jam week. In those eight games, playing up in age, Cenac averaged 10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. Fast-forward to the USA Basketball Junior National Team October Minicamp and Cenac was the most productive big in his group. He continued to rebound and defend, but he also showed in Colorado Springs that he could knock down the three-point shots that he was comfortable taking. 

This high school season has been status quo for the four-star forward. He has grown his scoring numbers to 15.7 on 54 percent shooting. And he has continued rebounding (11.6) and playing defense (2.0 steals, 1.1 blocks) through his first 13 games played. 

While yes, there are still flashes of more in his game, Cenac already carries a baseline of steady production. 

Projecting Cenac Moving Forward

Chris Cenac is a lengthy, 6-foot-10 forward prospect who is mobile and fluid with some pop. He carries instincts on the defensive end with some toughness. And he can step out and knock down a shot while carrying a go-to move close to the basket. 

While all of the pieces are still being put together, the translatable tools are difficult to deny. Looking through today’s game, many bigs simply cannot make it at the highest levels of basketball because they are not able to slide their feet. Long gone are the days when teams clog the middle and take up space in the paint. The highest levels of basketball are played with spacing, which means five guys are going to have to move their feet and play some in space. 

Over his last 29 games played, all of his EYBL games, and the first part of his high school season, Cenac has averaged almost ten rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. As the old says going, defense travels, and rebounding translates. Going along with the spacing of today’s game at the highest levels, offensively, all five players need to pull gravity. 

Cenac’s ability to play as a vertical floor spacer keeps a defender attached. His continued development as a shooter would open even more potential outcomes. There are a lot of boxes checked already for a player who is just scratching the surface of his potential.