San Antonio takes NCAA title tilt big man in new mock draft

In this mock, the Spurs take a rebounding machine who blocks shots like a Prohibitionist.

The San Antonio Spurs are on the hunt for the ideal player to pair with Victor Wembanyama in the 2024 NBA draft, and the folks over at the Ringer think they know just the prospect. A 7-foot-2 big man reminiscent of a more mobile Jakob Poeltl, freshly-crowned, back-to-back NCAA title-winner Donovan Clingan of UConn next to Wemby would make for a terrifying frontcourt of the future for the Spurs.

“Clingan rose up the rankings throughout the college season, and with UConn back in the Final Four, he has played himself into the top-three conversation,” writes the Ringer of the potential pairing.

“Pairing Clingan with … Wembanyama would give the Spurs a terrifying frontcourt that could shut down the paint for a decade.”

A rebounding machine who blocks shots like a Prohibitionist, Clingan’s 7-foot-7 wingspan and near-basket game are his selling points. And he’s shot 3s at the high school level, so there may be a chance for him to grow his jumper at the NBA level.

His free throw efficiency tells a different tale, and he struggles on defense in space. But with Wemby taking care of that aspect of the game and Clingan roaming near the dunker spot — let’s just say we can also see the vision.

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