BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A dominant two-year run continued Wednesday for 7-foot-2 UConn center Donovan Clingan, who was drafted seventh overall by the Portland Trail Blazers at the 2024 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The 20-year-old Bristol product forever etched himself into UConn men’s basketball lore by helping the team win national titles during his freshman and sophomore seasons. It could be argued that no UConn player has ever accomplished more over the course of his first two collegiate seasons.
Following the selection, Clingan was interviewed by ESPN. He showed off the inside of his custom-made jacket, which included pictures of him and his mom Stacey, who passed away in 2018.
"I'm feeling everything. I know she's super proud of me. I know she's smiling down. This is everything I've worked for my entire life, and just to hear my name called, it doesn't feel real... I've got my mom by my side at all times. She's looking down on me, she's smiling, and I know she's proud," Clingan said.
Coming off of two national championships, Clingan emphasized the importance of winning as he starts over as a rookie.
"I just want to win. I just want to keep winning. I've never been satisfied from where I've been. I'm just going to keep going, keep trying to get better, keep learning, and I'm just going to try to be the best player I can every day," Clingan said.
According to ESPN, it's the sixth time in the last 40 years that the reigning national champion has had multiple players drafted inside the top 10, after guard Stephon Castle was drafted fourth overall by San Antonio.
Clingan likely would have been a first-round pick if he left UConn after his freshman season but instead chose to return and pursue back-to-back titles, which he achieved. After battling injuries throughout much of the 2023-2024 regular season, Clingan performed at an elite level in the NCAA Tournament and saw his draft status skyrocket as a result.
After a strong Big East Tournament, Clingan scored 15.3 points per game over the course of six March Madness games, more than two points above his season average. During the NCAA Tournament, Clingan also averaged 8.3 rebounds and was unstoppable at times in the paint.
In March Madness, Clingan also gave opponents fits on the defensive end. Known by UConn fans as “The Great Wall of Bristol” or “Cling Kong”, Clingan recorded eight blocks against Northwestern in the Round of 32. Two games later, in the Elite Eight against Illinois, Clingan registered five blocks.
Clingan’s performance against Illinois was one of the best defensive showings in the history of the NCAA Tournament. While Clingan was on the floor, the Fighting Illini scored only 14 points, shooting 5-38. On shots that Clingan personally contested, Illinois missed all 19 field goal attempts.
While Clingan took only several 3’s during his college career, his true, fundamental shooting form and vast improvement at the free throw line gives the Trail Blazers reason to believe he can extend his range in the NBA.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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