​Coming into the NBA, new Boston Celtics big man Chris Cenac Jr. had more than a few analysts pick up on the lack of rim protection provided by the 6-foot-11 forward during his sole season suiting up for Houston at the NCAA level. SO much so that Cenac himself addressed it in a pre-draft interview with USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky. “At Houston, I was focused a lot on rebounding and guarding multiple positions, so I wasn’t always around the rim as much,” he explained. “But I can block shots, I can protect the rim, and that’s something I’m looking forward to showing more at the next level.”Fast forward to his play in Las Vegas Summer League, and we are seeing that the New Orleans, Louisiana native can indeed protect the rim – and well, in the limited run he has had with the Sin City Celtics. His rim protection has been as he claimed, showing 3.0 blocks per game with the Summer Celtics. “That being an emphasis here, you know, that’s something that they’ve been preaching to me since I’ve gotten here that I need to do,” said Cenac via CLNS Media.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”I’m a player that’s going to do whatever it takes, do whatever the organization needs me to do,” said the Houston alum.Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the twenty seventh pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. after he was selected by the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images”So that’s something, I’m emphasizing in my game while I’m on the court,” added the Celtics ‘ No. 27 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, echoing his earlier comments.”While I was at Houston, that’s just something that I didn’t really need to do that much. I had (Houston forward Joseph Tugler) down there with me (in the frontcourt).”Listen to “Havlicek Stole the Pod” on:Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKpiTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Chris Cenac Jr. on being a rim protector for the Boston Celtics