Donovan Clingan

Updated on 7/2/24.  Written by Alan Lu.
2024 rankings were finalized on 6/25/24.

Height: 7-2
Weight: 275
College: Connecticut
Classification: Sophomore
Birthdate: 2/23/2004

2024 Top 100 Prospect Rank: 6
Projected Draft Range: Lottery
2024 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 7 by the Portland Trail Blazers

Pros:

Strong finisher around the basket
Excels at scoring on off-ball motion plays
Adequate low post scorer
Decent playmaker for his size
Solid rebounder
Very good defender
Great shot blocker
Above average athlete
Has good strength
Solid motor

Cons:

Must extend his shooting range
Needs to improve his face-up game
Must expand upon his low post moves
Can be too passive on offense
Can struggle to guard quicker players
Can struggle against length and athleticism
Lacks elite lateral quickness

Summary:

Donovan Clingan is a strong, physical center that can make plays to help his team on the interior. He helped lead his team to win the 2024 National Championship, and he is a very tall, athletic center that is a tremendous shot blocker and excels as the anchor of the paint. He will need to expand upon his skill set offensively and add a reliable jump shot to his arsenal, but he is a polished prospect that projects to be a likely lottery pick in the 2024 draft.

Links:
RealGM Profile
NBADraft.Net Profile
Wikipedia Page
ESPN’s Article from Kevin Pelton Mentions Clingan From His Stat-Based Projections
YouTube’s Highlights of the 3/17/23 UConn-Iona Game via House of Highlights
ESPN’s 2024 NBA Mock Draft, Dated June 24th, 2023

Games Scouted:
3/25/23 Connecticut vs. Gonzaga
4/3/23 Connecticut vs. San Diego State
11/19/23 Connecticut vs. Indiana
12/1/23 Connecticut vs. Kansas
12/15/23 Connecticut vs. Gonzaga
2/20/24 Connecticut vs. Creighton
4/6/24 Connecticut vs. Alabama
4/8/24 Connecticut vs. Purdue

If you use any portion of this material, please credit NBA Scouting Live.