Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr. of the University of Houston were selected as First-Round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, marking a significant achievement for the program. Flemings was chosen #8 overall by the Atlanta Hawks and Cenac #27 by the Boston Celtics. This follows an impressive season in which both players were crucial to the Cougars achieving a 30-7 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the seventh consecutive year. Their selections contributed to the fourth instance of multiple Cougars being drafted in the First Round. Notably, Flemings and Cenac became only the third and fourth freshmen in program history to be selected in the NBA Draft.

By the Numbers
  • Flemings was selected #8 overall; Cenac was #27.
  • This marks Houston's fifth consecutive season with at least 30 wins.
  • They are the 15th and 16th Cougars taken in the NBA Draft First Round.
State of Play
  • Flemings became the fourth Cougar ever drafted by the Atlanta Hawks.
  • Cenac became the fifth Cougar selected by the Boston Celtics.
  • The draft is ongoing, with potential picks like guard Emanuel Sharp and point guard Milos Uzan expected in the Second Round.
What's Next

Moving forward, the Cougars will look to extend their legacy as they hope to see additional draft selections in the upcoming Second Round, potentially setting a new school record.

Bottom Line

The success of Flemings and Cenac in the NBA Draft underscores the growing prominence of the University of Houston's basketball program, positioning it as a talent pipeline for professional basketball.