2024 Prospect Spotlight: Donovan Clingan

[Jamaaliver]

I finally broke down and created a thread just for DC.

I'm not a fan of his pro prospects. But his production and effect on the court is undeniable for a UCONN Team that looks absolutely dominant.

Players who helped their NBA draft stock with strong NCAA Tournaments

Donovan Clingan, UConn

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Nobody has shot up draft boards during the NCAA Tournament like Clingan, the 7'2" center for the UConn Huskies, and he could be a top-five pick now. He’s a player who likely would have gone in the lottery a year ago but went back to college for another year and it’s helped his draft stock — not the regular season, where he was injured for most of it, but in the NCAA Tournament. His eight blocks against Northwestern were hard to ignore.

Clingan has shown improved mobility, particularly on the pick-and-roll and in transition defense. He has absolutely owned the paint, he’s shown off an ability to read the double-team and make the right pass, and he has a soft touch and can finish around the rim. He had maybe his best game against Illinois to help UConn reach the final four, with ESPN’s tracking data saying Illini players shot 0-of-19 when he guarded them.

All those skills translate to the next level, which is why Clingan’s stock is up — in an uncertain draft, pick him and a team knows it’s getting a solid big who can be part of their rotation. Maybe more important to teams than Clingan’s high ceiling as rim-running, paint-protecting big, it’s his high floor that has him moving up draft boards. This is also not a great draft for centers, and while French international Alex Sarr (playing for Perth in the Australian league this season) will be the first center off the board, Clingan will follow soon after for a team looking for size in the paint.

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[Jamaaliver]

Donovan Clingan | C | UConn | Age: 20.1

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Clingan played the best game of his career in arguably the most impressive two-way performance of any player in college basketball this season, helping UConn advance to the Final Four in a 25-point blowout win over Illinois.

Illinois shot 3-for-25 from inside the arc (12%) in Clingan's 22 minutes on the floor, going 0-for-19 when challenging him directly, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He blocked close to half of those attempts (despite only being officially credited with five) while altering many others with his 7-foot-7 wingspan and incredible timing as a rim protector.

Clingan did more than just park under the basket challenging shots while also doing an outstanding job of hedging screens out to the 3-point line and forcing opponents to shoot over length. He switched onto Illini standout Terrence Shannon Jr. and met him at the rim on one memorable play, showing excellent mobility in small spaces on the perimeter all game long. Clingan had several outstanding moments flipping his hips and getting back to protect the basket with multiple effort plays while being quicker off his feet than expected contesting shots with both hands and almost always keeping the ball in bounds to preserve possession.

His timing rotating out of drops has become nearly impeccable as his college career has progressed, and the idea of simply putting him in space and forcing him to slide his feet has become a much less attractive proposition, which bodes well for his transition to the NBA.

Clingan also scored 22 points in 22 minutes, pounding the undersized Illini inside the paint with deep seals while finishing with both hands and drawing plenty of fouls in the process. He crashed the offensive glass effectively, got a dunk rolling to the rim out of a zoom action and had one pretty give-and-go touch pass with Cam Spencer.

Clingan's dominance in the Big East championship game and the NCAA tournament has NBA teams asking just how high he could be drafted thanks to his late-season surge after recovering from foot injuries that plagued him early in the campaign. He has upside to tap into with his perimeter shooting, which is a possible part of his game down the road. (The Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez didn't start shooting 3s until he was age 28.) One general manager asked ESPN recently, "Rudy Gobert or Donovan Clingan?" regarding who will be the more impactful defensive player, which highlights a college player being compared to a three-time NBA defensive player of the year winner.

There will be plenty of debate between now and June regarding who is the better prospect: Clingan or ESPN's projected No. 2 pick Alex Sarr. (And Sarr is now firmly in the conversation at No. 1, as well.) Clingan has one or two more games to make his case at the Final Four in Arizona next weekend, and he would surely benefit greatly from a strong showing against Edey should the two meet in the championship game. In a draft lacking in star power at the top, Clingan looks as close to a surefire bet to be a highly productive starter and a major impact performer as you'll find. -Givony

ESPN Insider

[Jamaaliver]

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[King Ken]

I finally broke down and created a thread just for DC.

I'm not a fan of his pro prospects. But his production and effect on the court is undeniable for a UCONN Team that looks absolutely dominant.

Players who helped their NBA draft stock with strong NCAA Tournaments

Donovan Clingan, UConn

Watch on YouTube

Nobody has shot up draft boards during the NCAA Tournament like Clingan, the 7'2" center for the UConn Huskies, and he could be a top-five pick now. He’s a player who likely would have gone in the lottery a year ago but went back to college for another year and it’s helped his draft stock — not the regular season, where he was injured for most of it, but in the NCAA Tournament. His eight blocks against Northwestern were hard to ignore.

Clingan has shown improved mobility, particularly on the pick-and-roll and in transition defense. He has absolutely owned the paint, he’s shown off an ability to read the double-team and make the right pass, and he has a soft touch and can finish around the rim. He had maybe his best game against Illinois to help UConn reach the final four, with ESPN’s tracking data saying Illini players shot 0-of-19 when he guarded them.

All those skills translate to the next level, which is why Clingan’s stock is up — in an uncertain draft, pick him and a team knows it’s getting a solid big who can be part of their rotation. Maybe more important to teams than Clingan’s high ceiling as rim-running, paint-protecting big, it’s his high floor that has him moving up draft boards. This is also not a great draft for centers, and while French international Alex Sarr (playing for Perth in the Australian league this season) will be the first center off the board, Clingan will follow soon after for a team looking for size in the paint.

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#2 on Hawks BB for me

[Jamaaliver]

Pre-Tourney Scouting Report:

Donovan Clingan | C | UConn

7-2 | Age: 20.0 | Sophomore

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Clingan battled injuries to start the season but has played some of his best basketball in March, especially when he has been able to stay out of foul trouble. He's the most impactful defensive big man in college basketball, putting a lid on the rim with his 7-foot-7 wingspan and tremendous timing as a shot-blocker.

He also plays a significant role for the nation's top-ranked offense, as UConn runs many of its half-court sets through him in the low, mid or high post. He sets bruising screens, can facilitate out of dribble handoffs and finishes skillfully with polished footwork using both hands around the basket. However, Clingan doesn't always play above the rim as frequently as scouts might hope and has some questions he has to answer long term regarding his ability to defend in space.

Clingan had some excellent moments in last year's NCAA tournament and will have a huge platform to continue to make his case as a potential top-five pick if he can help UConn make another deep run. -- Givony

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[atlantabbq99]

He is above average, but not really an amazing NBA prospect. He is an elite college player but I don't think his game will translate well into the NBA, like Zach Collins. He reminds me alot of Loren Woods, he could have a 10yr career but mostly as a bench guy

[Jamaaliver]

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Donovan Clingan Scouting Report

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Age: 20
Position: Center
Size: 7'2", 280 lbs
Draft ceiling: Top 5
Draft floor: Late Lottery

Donovan Clingan was a key bench player during Connecticut's 2023 national title run. He returned this year to a starting job and led the Huskies to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.

Clingan is a defensive game-changer and walking easy basket at 7'2". Although he lacks the modern skills of previous lottery big men like Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren or Evan Mobley, NBA teams still continue to show interest older-school, interior-oriented centers like Dereck Lively II, Jalen Duren, Mark Williams and Walker Kessler.

Given Clingan's archetype as a 5 who plays only one position and rarely touches the ball outside the paint, he won't be for everyone. But teams will know exactly what they're getting with a 280-pound man in the middle, and there should be a few in the lottery who can use his rim protection and physicality.

NBA Role and Pro Comparisons

Spoiler:

Projected role: Finisher/rim protector
Pro comparions: Jakob Poeltl, Walker Kessler, Ivica Zubac
Best team fits: Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks

Donovan Clingan's NBA role will be well-defined and the same as it was for Connecticut.

Offensively, he'll spend possessions setting screens and rolling, waiting in the dunker's spot or commanding low-post touches with his back to the basket. He'll be a catch-and-finish big man who also puts pressure on the offensive glass.

Defensively, he'll anchor the paint, play drop coverage in pick-and-rolls and prevent second-chance points with his massive size for defensive rebounding.

There are plenty of starting centers with Clingan's archetype, physical strengths and limited skills. Like Poeltl, he'll be valued mostly for his scoring efficiency around the basket and defensive impact.

Physical Tools and Athleticism

Spoiler:

There are only a handful of NBA players listed at or above 280 pounds. At 7'2", Clingan should immediately be able to use his body to move defenders, win rebounding battles and hold his ground in the paint.

It's going to be difficult for opponents to get many putback opportunities when Clingan is under the boards boxing out.

However, he isn't a great vertical athlete or leaper. He lacks explosion, which can allow defenders to contest his shots around the basket, in spite of all that size/height.

With that said, he has flashed some improved mobility, particularly with his footwork and hips defending pick-and-rolls.

Draft Projection

Spoiler:

The idea that Clingan could help change a team's defensive identity could sway teams to consider him before bigger projects with more versatility or perceived higher ceilings.

There is also a sure-thing factor tied to his enormous physical profile and translatable inside scoring, rebounding and rim protection. In a draft without obvious stars, Clingan's certainty could hold extra weight.

But he may have to wait for a team to be on the clock that has a specific need for interior defense and physicality. Clingan's inability to play the 4, handle or shoot means he won't fit every starting lineup, and teams with top-10 or late-lottery picks may be hesitant to spend those on a backup big man.

Many of the league's poor defensive teams are already invested in young centers. That includes Detroit Pistons with Jalen Duren, the Charlotte Hornets with Mark Williams, the San Antonio Spurs with Victor Wembanyama, the Portland Trail Blazers with Deandre Ayton and the Utah Jazz with Walker Kessler.

At some point, a team might just decide that Clingan is the best prospect available, and that it can't hurt to have two impactful rim protectors in its rotation.

Signature Strengths

Spoiler:

Interior defense

Clingan's primary draw is his ability to shrink the windows around the rim for opposing scorers. Even when he's not blocking shots—which he does by using his length, anticipation and mobility—he's changing attempts and altering decisions of incoming drivers.

He also moves well in pick-and-roll situations, and he shows a good feel for cutting off angles for ball-handlers.

Entering the NCAA tournament, opponents only shot 3-of-26 against Clingan in the post. That's a reflection of his strength and ability to keep his man from moving him back or creating space.

Interior scoring

Clingan shot over 60.0 percent from the field in consecutive years by using his body to carve out space and soft hands to finish around the basket. He creates easy angles for himself from below the rim. He can also play above it for lob-catching and putbacks.

He's highly efficient going over either shoulder with his back to the basket as well.

Rebounding

Clingan spends the majority of his minutes around the basket, so he's often in position to grab rebounds. He eats up a ton of space and makes it tough to anyone to win loose balls in his area.

Weaknesses

Spoiler:

Versatility

Clingan can only play minutes at the 5 because he lacks ball-handling or perimeter skill. His particular game requires floor-spacing from his team's forwards.

Free throws

Clingan could spend a lot of time at the free-throw line given how physical he is. However, he shot below 60 percent from the charity stripe during both of his seasons at Connecticut.

He also made only three jumps shots all season, rarely attempting a shot with two hands on the ball.

Explosion

Clingan is going to face much taller and stronger big men in the NBA, and he won't be able to rely as much on his height as he did in college. He lacks vertical explosiveness and sometimes has trouble separating despite his advantageous physical tools.

Bleacher Report

[King Ken]

I actually thought he played well yesterday. He's better offensively than Kessler and that's gonna keep him on the floor as a rookie.

[Jamaaliver]

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