The position new Boston Celtics big man Chris Cenac Jr. will play at the NBA level will likely be dictated by matchups, according to his college coach Kelvin Sampson. Speaking in a recent interview with Celtics team reporter Marc D'Amico, the University of Houston head coach broke down how he sees his former player fitting into Boston's rotations positionally. "I think he's more of a hybrid," said Sampson. "I think it's going to be matchup driven."
"If he's playing against a team where it's a perimeter 5, then he can play the 5," added the Houston coach. "If it's a team that's got a low post 5 and they've got a big four, a big stretch four, I think he can match up with that." However, there is another player who looms large for Cenac Jr. as a potential
defensive matchup for the rookie Boston big man that has been on Sampson's mind.
"The thing I'm excited about is ... (the) San Antonio (Spurs are) going to be a problem for all the teams (in the NBA) for the next 10 years because of that giant that stands in the paint," Sampson hinted.
"On defense, having a guy like Chris that you can slide to the 5, and maybe get (Spurs star Victor) Wembanyama to go out and defend him at the 3-point lines, opens up driving lanes, which opens up… bold movement around and a guy like Chris can get those corner 3s."
"So I think it's interesting and intriguing at the same time that you've got a 6-foot-11 kid that can play the 5 against certain teams, you can play the 4 against certain teams. You can game plan with him."
Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:
Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp
iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47
YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Will new Boston Celtics big man Chris Cenac Jr. play the 4 or 5? Houston coach says both
