"You have a target on your head": Houston Cougars signee Chris Cenac Jr. talks about what it feels like to play for Link Academy 

Chris Cenac Jr., the overall No. 7 in the class of 2025, signed with the Houston Cougars on Nov. 27 and became their highest-ranking recruit. Through his YouTube channel, the young athlete shared the original docuseries "STRIVE," which documents his relationship with basketball as he strives through the challenges and expectations from him.

In the fifth episode released on Sunday, the five-star prospect opened up about what it felt like to play for Link Academy, a team often seen in the national rankings.

“Being in the number one team in the country comes with a lot. You have a target on your head,” Cenac said (Timestamp: 26:54 - 27:12).

“Everyone wants to play you. Everyone’s gonna have their best game against you. Everyone’s gonna play hard against you. So, that means you got to come out every night and play hard, do your best to remain number one and remain at the top,” he added.

Cenac is a standout high school basketball player with a long list of achievements. He is a Louisiana high school state champion and a gold medalist with the USA Basketball U17 Team. He was named MVP at the prestigious NBPA Top 100 Camp. Cenac is known for his versatile skill set. The 6-foot-10 center excels in scoring, ball handling, and defense.

Coach Kelvin Sampson's fit in Chris Cenac Jr.’s journey with the Cougars

From the docuseries, it is clear that Chris Cenac Jr. holds coach Kelvin Sampson in high regard. He views him as a mentor who is genuinely invested in the growth of the players he coaches.

Cenac also appreciated his connection with Sampson and associate coach Quannas White. He stated that their consistent support, starting from his sophomore year, significantly influenced Cenac's decision to join the Houston Cougars. He admired their clear plan to develop him into an NBA-ready player within a year.

Likewise, Sampson also talked about Cenac's potential as a player and the staff’s dedicated effort to help him grow.

“Chris is a coach's dream, he wants to be good, he's got the talent, he's got the drive," Sampson said. "Now let's put the time and effort and purposeful work in, let's see how good and let's see how far we can take this. I mean we're all excited."