Dan Hurley shares an anecdote about Donovan Clingan’s decision to come back for his sophomore season. According to Hurley, Clingan entered his office shortly after UConn’s national championship victory in April and expressed his belief that he was not yet prepared for the NBA.
“We should do it again,” Clingan said, as Hurley reminisced.
Hurley emphasized that there was no dramatic meeting with the agent. He described the young boy as truly exceptional.
Standing tall at 7-foot-2, this talented center hails from Bristol, Connecticut, a mere hour away from the campus. Despite showing immense potential during his freshman year, Clingan’s performance was not without its flaws. Although he played a crucial role in the Huskies’ championship, he only averaged a little over 13 minutes per game, ranking eighth on the team. Nonetheless, he managed to contribute an average of 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.
Nearly a year has passed, and his choice to come back has been instrumental in the Huskies’ transformation into a dominant force, propelling Clingan to become one of the country’s most promising big men and a potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
According to Hurley, he believes that the player has matured significantly. He explains that the player was not quite ready both mentally and emotionally last year. Hurley states that the player was essentially a young and inexperienced individual who was unable to thrive in the competitive and demanding environment of the NBA. He emphasizes that the player needed this year to develop and grow both personally and professionally.
Clingan’s development has had a direct impact on the success of the Huskies. This correlation is not a mere coincidence.
A game-changing defender
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Clingan, although he has been working on improving his overall game, initially joined the team as a game-changing force for the Huskies’ defense. Despite his limited playing time last season, his presence near the basket greatly impacted the team’s defensive performance, elevating them from the 57th spot in national scoring to an impressive 33rd in the 2022-23 season.
The undefeated Huskies are heading into Saturday’s Final Four showdown against Alabama with an impressive defensive record. Ranked ninth in scoring defense, UConn has displayed a dominant performance throughout the East Region games. Giving up an average of only 53.5 points per game, the Huskies cruised past their opponents, including Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State, and Illinois. Notably, Clingan’s exceptional performance stood out, with 14 rebounds and eight blocks against the Wildcats, and 10 rebounds and five blocks against Illinois, earning him the well-deserved title of East Region MVP.
The sophomore is the key to the Huskies’ defensive strategy. With his imposing presence near the rim, the team’s backcourt can confidently guard the perimeter with aggression. A perfect example of this was seen in the Elite Eight game, where the sophomore’s existence enabled freshman Stephon Castle to play tight defense against All-America guard Terrence Shannon Jr. As a result, Shannon only managed to score eight points in the final, which the Huskies won 77-52.
According to ESPN, when Clingan was on the floor, Illinois struggled to score, only managing to accumulate 15 points. Their performance was particularly poor in two-point range, where they missed 22 out of 25 attempts. Additionally, they failed to convert any of their 19 direct challenge shots.
Junior Samson Johnson, who serves as Clingan’s backup, expressed admiration for Clingan’s exceptional skills, emphasizing the need to continuously elevate one’s own performance to match his level.
Clingan’s increased stamina and improved footwork have been instrumental in keeping him on the court, resulting in an impressive average of 22.1 minutes per game.
According to Hurley, there has been a significant improvement in his skills, movement, and maturity. He has continued to develop various aspects of his game and has shown growth in his abilities.
College basketball’s ‘most impactful player’
Clingan’s impact on the Huskies’ pursuit of consecutive national championships is comparable to that of Purdue senior Zach Edey, who stands at 7-foot-4. As the No. 1 Boilermakers prepare to face No. 11 North Carolina State in the first national semifinal, there is potential for an intriguing showdown between these two dominant big men on Monday night.
Clingan is ranked second in the country, just behind Edey, in various statistical categories, according to College Basketball Reference. These include win shares per 40 minutes, average plus-minus, and overall player efficiency rating. Additionally, Clingan ranks third in offensive plus-minus and defensive plus-minus, fifth in overall offensive rating, and third once again in overall defensive rating.
According to senior guard Hassan Diarra, Donovan is considered the most influential player in the country. Diarra believes that when Donovan is at his best, he becomes a formidable opponent that is difficult to defeat.
Although he had a rough time finishing near the basket in some games of the tournament, particularly against San Diego State, Clingan has made significant improvements to his offensive game in his second year. He currently has a field goal percentage of 64.3%, which ranks eighth nationwide and second in the Big East. Additionally, he is averaging 12.9 points per game, making him one of five UConn players scoring in double figures.
Clingan expressed his determination to achieve greatness and make a significant impact on the game in order to contribute to his team’s success. He emphasized his commitment to doing whatever it takes to secure victory and acknowledged the fierce competition he faces in his quest to be among the best.
According to Hurley, Clingan’s presence on the team has already made him one of the greatest players to ever wear the uniform, despite only playing for two seasons.
“I always had a childhood dream of playing basketball for the University of Connecticut,” Clingan expressed with excitement. “Being able to put on this jersey every single day and represent such a renowned and exceptional program is truly a remarkable experience. It’s an opportunity for me and my teammates to create a lasting legacy and be a part of the program’s rich history. This feeling is truly special.”
Clingan’s NBA draft outlook
Clingan’s growth as a sophomore has positioned him as a strong contender for a lottery pick in this year’s NBA draft.
According to Bleacher Report, they believe that despite his lack of offensive skills and potential, Clingan can still be valuable with his finishing, ability to pressure opponents on the glass, and his low-post game. They predict that he will be selected as the fifth overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers.
There are still some uncertainties regarding how his game will transition to the NBA, particularly on the offensive side. Clingan will also need to demonstrate his ability to handle a larger workload to convince teams who may be hesitant to use a valuable draft pick on a player used to shorter playing stints. However, regardless of any offensive shortcomings, Clingan’s defensive prowess guarantees him a spot at the next level.
As a sophomore, Clingan’s development as a scorer highlights his progress from one year to the next, showcasing the untapped potential in his well-rounded game.
According to Diarra, Clingan’s impressive growth is a testament to his strong work ethic. He has consistently remained dedicated and focused, which has ultimately allowed him to showcase his exceptional skills.
Donovan Clingan is making waves in college basketball as the “most impactful player” for Connecticut.
