Donovan Clingan is a two-time NCAA champion with the UConn Huskies basketball program. He decided to leave UConn after two seasons to enter the NBA Draft. During his first year at UConn, he was a member of the Big East All-Freshman team. During his sophomore season, hebbecame an AP Honorable Mention All-American. UConn basketball’s head coach Dan Hurley had consistently referred to Clingan as an NBA lottery pick, so Clingan’s draft decision did not
create much surprise.
Clingan is from Bristol, Connecticut. How special it must feel for him to be the one to help bring the University of Connecticut two national championships in a major sport such as basketball. Clingan said that it was his dream for him to reach the NBA, but to win championships for your state’s flagship school is amazing and is an honor. He will forever be a part of his home state’s major historic history as a basketball champion, and he may continue to build on his legacy in the big league.
Before Clingan had his run with UConn, he led Bristol Central High School to a state
championship. He was a five-star prospect and was a major recruit for Hurley. The 7’2” Center had played a crucial role in his defense for the 2024 NCAA championship, which was guarding Purdue’s 7’4” Zach Edey man-to-man. Clingan did not exactly slow down
Eden who scored 37 points and had 10 rebounds. However, Clingan’s defense allowed his teammates to pressure Purdue’s 3-point shooters into having a poor shooting record of 1-of-7 shooting from the 3-point line.
During the regular season Clingan averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. He
improved his gameplay in the NCAA tournament and averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks to lead to a sixth NCAA title for UConn.
In the championship game, he scored 11 points to help UConn beat Purdue 75-60, and his
defense determined the game’s outcome. With all the success Clingan has had at UConn, many people wonder how his gameplay will translate to the NBA.
It is questionable whether Clingan will be able to smoothly transition his game to the NBA or if he will start out with a struggle. When players transition from college basketball to the NBA, they may find it difficult to adjust initially.
For example, it is like Caitlin Clark in the WNBA right now as a rookie. Clark said she must get
up and down the court quicker and get back on defense fast because everyone is so talented. At the highest level everyone is the most talented, and Clingan will have to adjust just like Clark has to adjust despite how great she was in college.
Clingan has a huge height advantage, but with every advantage comes a disadvantage. Big
players tend to struggle with their three-point shooting, just as Clingan is. The NBA game has
changed a lot to rely more on the three-point shooting, and he will have some difficulty starting out his rookie year. He used his height in a major way by getting rebounds and shooting free throws. If the NBA game style was set up like college where his orthodox center gameplay was dominant, then he would be very great for the league.
The current NBA gameplay style requires more of a versatile player. On the defensive side, he is one of the toughest players to play against. Clingan’s wingspan is 7 feet 7 inches and a standing reach of 9 feet 7 inches. His shooting skill at the combine test and his vertical jump of 29 inches combined to be declared decent in the NBA 2024 Draft.
Although it is possible that his transition to the NBA may be a little difficult, he is still working
hard and improving during the offseason which may give him the skills he needs. His skills
displayed at the NBA combine have raised his notoriety.
Overall, Donovan Clingan has had a highly successful high school career being a five-star recruit and has become a huge success at the highest college level. So far Clingan has lived the dream of any basketball player, and he is about to further that dream by heading to the NBA. His gameplay may struggle some during his game development of his rookie season, but that is not unheard of. He will be a great benefit in the NBA if he can pull off great dunks and alley-oops, but things like his height can hinder his speed. His skills have gotten better at the NBA draft combine.
