Syracuse basketball is one of the latest schools to officially enter the recruitment of fast-rising 2025 prospect Chris Cenac Jr., who has seen his offer sheet balloon of late.
The 6-foot-10 power forward/center, rated five stars and No. 6 nationally by On3, disclosed a scholarship offer from the Orange staff in recent days, and he discussed this 'Cuse offer in an article from top 247Sports analyst Mike McAllister.
Cenac told McAllister in part that he was "shocked" by the Orange scholarship offer, adding, "I think Syracuse is a great school and it's a pretty good offer for me to get. Just the fact that I didn't expect them to be reaching out. That's one school I didn't expect."
McAllister noted in his story that there have been discussions about Cenac potentially taking a visit to the Hill at some point, so let's see if that occurs. Since mid-April, Cenac is one of at least six 2025 prospects who have picked up an offer from the 'Cuse staff.
A top expert dishes on new Syracuse basketball five-star recruit Chris Cenac Jr.
Cenac, out of the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans and the Dallas-based YoungGameChangers in the PUMA-sponsored PRO16/NXT league on the AAU circuit, is a consensus top-50 national prospect in his class, per all the primary recruiting services.
However, not too long ago, On3 updated its rankings for this cycle, placing Cenac as five stars, No. 6 nationwide, No. 3 at power forward and No. 1 in Louisiana.
As those refreshed 2025 ratings came out, top national analyst/scout Jamie Shaw of On3 went in-depth on why his recruiting service currently ranks Cenac considerably higher than others.
Shaw writes that "what first pops" with this new Syracuse basketball target is "his physical presence. Cenac is listed at 6-foot-10, he carries a plus-five (7-foot-3) wing span with broad shoulders and big hands. He also has a strong physical base that has consistently developed over the past six to eight months."
Shaw notes that Cenac protects the rim, runs the floor and rebounds well. He has a solid frame and what the On3 expert describes as "natural athleticism." Cenac possesses a soft touch and can finish through contact around the basketball. Shaw adds that Cenac "can also step out and comfortably knock down a three off the catch. ... He plays comfortably within himself while continuing to add to his game."
While saying that Cenac will need to continue adding strength, Shaw writes, "Chris Cenac naturally has a lot of the indicators that are very trendy at the highest levels of today’s game and he has a skill set that continues to get better."
Beyond Syracuse basketball, Cenac's offer list includes schools such as Oklahoma State, Indiana, Alabama, Baylor, Kansas, Creighton, Texas, Ole Miss, Illinois, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Louisville, Auburn, California, Houston, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, SMU, Tennessee and Texas A&M.