Tag: donovan clingan

Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan visiting Rockets for pre-draft workout

UConn center Donovan Clingan will visit Houston and work out as part of the NBA’s pre-draft process, per Bryan Kalbrosky of USA TODAY’s For The Win.

With an entrenched starter in 21-year-old Alperen Sengun, many have questioned if the Rockets would use an asset as premium as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft on another player at that same position. But it appears they’ll at least do their due diligence.

Per Bryan Kalbrosky of USA TODAY’s For The Win, Connecticut center and two-time NCAA champion Donovan Clingan will visit Houston as part of his pre-draft interview and workout circuit.

Now 20 years old, Clingan averaged 13.0 points (63.9% FG), 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 22.6 minutes last season, and he was viewed as perhaps the top defensive anchor in college basketball.

The 7-foot-2, 280-pound big man hopes to eventually add a 3-point shot to his arsenal, which could potentially make it easier for him to play alongside another center — such as Sengun.

But until Clingan consistently makes those shots in a game setting, it remains an ambition, rather than an expectation.

Similarly, Sengun would like to improve his 3-point shot, but he made below 30% last season on an average volume of less than two attempts per game. Thus, he isn’t currently respected as a floor spacer.

So, for the time being, both Sengun and Clingan are seemingly limited to a position where Houston can only allocate 48 minutes per game, and there’s also veteran backup Steven Adams to consider.

That might make it less likely for general manager Rafael Stone to invest a pick as high as No. 3 on a center, unless the team is confident in one or both players eventually developing enough perimeter skills (on both offense and defense) to play at power forward.

With all that in mind, it remains to be seen if the Rockets would actually select Clingan when the first round arrives on June 26. But it appears they want to at least learn more in the pre-draft process.

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Breaking down Donovan Clingan’s fit with the San Antonio Spurs

Next to French forward phenom Victor Wembanyama, such a combo would immediately become one of the league’s most feared frontcourts.

Breaking down champion University of Connecticut big man Donovan Clingan‘s fit with the San Antonio Spurs, should they take him with their Nos 4 or 8 picks of the 2024 NBA draft, is not too hard if you do not overthink it.

An old-school big man who can block shots, box out, and grab boards with a bit of an away from the basket game that might be stretchable to the NBA 3-point line is a worthwhile gamble in a thin draft cohort. Next to French forward phenom Victor Wembanyama, such a combo would immediately become one of the league’s most feared frontcourts.

The folks behind the “SSPN: A San Antonio Spurs Podcast” YouTube channel, recently took a deep dive into the Husky big man’s fit with the Spurs ahead of the 2024 draft.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

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Report: Hawks, Wizards considering Donovan Clingan at top of 2024 NBA draft

If Donovan Clingan is drafted at No. 1 or No. 2, that would leave at least one of Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher available to Houston at No. 3 overall.

For much of the NBA’s 2024 pre-draft process, mock drafts have placed French forwards Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher in the top-two slots. That would leave the remainder of the class available to the Houston Rockets, who are up next at No. 3 in the first round.

But, are Sarr and Risacher (in some order) a lock to go to Atlanta and Washington, and thus be off the board for Houston?

Not necessarily, per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. He reported Friday:

University of Connecticut center Donovan Clingan… is in conversation at No. 1 after working out in Atlanta, which is exploring trade-down scenarios. He is also spending time in Washington, which has the No. 2 pick.

Should Clingan go at No. 1 or No. 2, that could leave either Sarr or Risacher on the board for the Rockets. Or, perhaps Houston is one of the teams that Atlanta could potentially trade down with.

There is recent precedent for a prospect outside of the consensus top two making a late jump to the top. In 2022, Paolo Banchero was widely viewed as behind Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. during the pre-draft period, yet Orlando decided late in the process to take him at No. 1 (thus pushing Smith to Houston at No. 3).

Maybe there’s a similar dynamic in 2024. Whatever the case, with under three weeks left until the June 26 first round, it feels premature to rule out any option, given the instability at the top.

Clingan and his Connecticut teammate, guard Stephon Castle, are among the most popular mock-draft projections to Houston, as things currently stand. So, too, is Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.

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Rumor: Thunder could trade up for Donovan Clingan in 2024 NBA draft

Rumor: Thunder could trade up for Donovan Clingan in 2024 NBA draft.

The Oklahoma City Thunder sit at the No. 12 slot of the 2024 NBA draft, but that doesn’t mean they can’t move up. Considering their trade assets and draft capital, OKC has the funds to aggressively move up the board if it chooses to do so.

A possibility is UConn center Donovan Clingan, per ESPN’s draft expert Jonathan Givony. He released his player rankings for the 2024 NBA draft, where he had the 7-foot-2 center at No. 3.

The Thunder are one of several squads who could move up the draft to select the 20-year-old. He’d provide OKC with another rim protector and rebounder.

“Clingan isn’t expected to drop past the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7, whom he just visited for a private workout as well. He is being discussed among teams as a possible target for the likes of Chicago, Memphis, Oklahoma City or Utah, who all might explore trading up for a player in his mold.”

A frontcourt with Clingan and Chet Holmgren suddenly gives OKC serious size. He’d also be a lob threat for the Thunder. He averaged 13 points on 63.9% shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks last season as the Huskies won back-to-back championships.

Clingan is seen as one of the best players of this year’s class and will likely be a top-five selection. This means the Thunder will have to give up some serious assets to move up from the No. 12 spot.

Only time will tell how serious the Thunder’s interests are with Clingan. It’s June, which means the rumors and reports have skyrocketed as smokescreens will be utilized by both franchises and prospects.

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Chicago Bulls reportedly trying to move up for UConn’s Donovan Clingan

Clingan, a mountain of a man, is mobile for a 7-footer, and can block shots, pass the rock, and in recent workouts, shoot it from deep too.

Are the Chicago Bulls looking to move up in the 2024 NBA draft to get a specific player? According to some recent rumbles around the league media sphere, the team’s front office very well could be. Writing in his most recent mock draft for ESPN, draft expert Jonathan Givony let it slip that the Bulls are looking to trade up to get their top target.

And that target is none other than University of Connecticut champion big man Donovan Clingan, a worthy target in our estimation should the ask not be too high. Clingan, a mountain of a man, is surprisingly mobile for a 7-footer, and can block shots, pass the rock, and in recent workouts, shoot it from deep too.

If that last quality pans out at the NBA level, we have a bona fide high-level starter potential for the Husky center, with rotation big as a floor.

That’s a fairly solid gamble, and the hosts of the “CHGO Bulls” podcast took a closer look at why that is on a recent episode. Check it out above!

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Podcast: ClutchFans’ Dave Hardisty on the 2024 Rockets offseason

Dave Hardisty, founder of ClutchFans, joins Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to preview Houston’s plans for the 2024 NBA draft and offseason.

Dave Hardisty, founder and editor of ClutchFans, joins Friday’s “The Lager Line” podcast to discuss the latest news and notes surrounding the Houston Rockets and the NBA’s 2024 offseason.

Topics for Hardisty, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves include preferences for Houston’s No. 3 draft pick in June, the implications of top prospect Donovan Clingan sharing an agent with Alperen Sengun and trade options for general manager Rafael Stone.

Other prospects discussed are Clingan’s Connecticut teammate, Stephon Castle; Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard; and Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland of the G League Ignite. All of those players could be under consideration at Houston’s first-round pick at No. 3, as well as in scenarios in which the Rockets move down in return for trade compensation.

Friday’s episode, which is sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and through all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky on Rockets, NBA Draft chatter

Bryan Kalbrosky, national NBA staff writer with USA TODAY’s For The Win, shares his insight and perspective on Houston’s 2024 draft plans.

Bryan Kalbrosky, national NBA staff writer at USA TODAY’s For The Win, shares the latest intel and scouting analysis related to the Rockets and their No. 3 overall draft pick in the 2024 draft. His latest mock draft projects Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard to Houston.

Hosted by Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, discussion topics include a wave of recent rumors linking Sheppard to Houston. Other subjects include alternative options such as Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Alex Sarr, trade scenarios, and more.

The show also features perspective on Houston’s improved placement in the Western Conference, and why the Rockets were justified in giving a contract extension to general manager Rafael Stone.

Thursday’s interview, which is sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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2024 NBA Draft Combine: Winners and losers

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still …

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still plays a crucial role. It helps fringe lottery picks, determines if a player is a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, and boosts the chances of players who might have gone undrafted. With the draft just over a month away, here’s a breakdown of the standout moments and performances from this year’s combine.

Woj views Rockets as potential landing spot for Donovan Clingan, expects more interviews

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski expects UConn center Donovan Clingan to interview well with the Hawks, Wizards, and Rockets over the coming weeks.

Going by measurements, it was an encouraging 2024 NBA draft combine for 7-foot-2 Connecticut center Donovan Clingan.

The back-to-back NCAA national champion is a potential defensive anchor on the inside, yet he believes he will develop enough 3-point shooting to play with another big man — such as Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets. ESPN’s draft analyst Jonathan Givony compared Clingan’s upside to a potential cross between Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez.

At this point, the question seems to be whether Clingan will be on the board when the Rockets draft at No. 3 in the 2024 first round. On the latest episode of The Woj Pod, ESPN league insider Adrian Wojnarowski says of Clingan’s potential market:

There are elements to his game that you did not see at UConn that have been there. He has been someone that going back to his high school days, spent a lot of time behind the 3-point line and developing that game. …

His dominance for UConn, the improvement, the lateral quickness, his ability to recover and cover so much ground … you saw the NCAA Tournament. I mean, Illinois literally could not get anywhere near the basket with him on the floor.

As teams are meeting him, they know what the intel is on him. The kind of teammate he has been, the kind of leader he was, the kind of empathy he has for his teammates — that’s been known through his time at UConn. (Givony) just talked to teams today and yesterday who started to get to spend time with him, and anybody around him knew that was only going to enhance his stock.

I think he will only go to select teams and spend even more time in their organization. That’s only going to help his case at No. 1 (with Atlanta), No. 2 with Washington, or perhaps even No. 3 with the Rockets.

The complete episode can be viewed below. Beyond Clingan, other potential options for the Rockets at No. 3 (recent mock drafts) include Stephon Castle, a guard from UConn who was teammates with Clingan; Kentucky guards Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham; and French forwards Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher.

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Projected top-5 pick Donovan Clingan explains his potential impact in the NBA

After helping UConn win back-to-back national titles, Donovan Clingan is confident he can continue that success in the NBA.

After helping the UConn Huskies win back-to-back national titles, projected top-five pick Donovan Clingan is confident he can continue that success in the NBA.

Clingan was an Associated Press All-American honorable mention after averaging 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 assists on 63.9% shooting from the field. He had the second-best player efficiency rating (34.8) and ranked fifth in blocked shots.

He was an integral player in the Huskies winning their second straight national championship. He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after posting 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 1.7 assists in six games.

The 7-footer is in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick on June 26, given his size and ability to protect the paint with his 7-foot, 6 3/4-inch wingspan. He also showed improvement on the perimeter to switch onto smaller players in certain situations.

He believes he brings that and more to the NBA.

It is all of the little things, whether that is defense, protecting the rim, finishing around the rim, being able to step out to shoot the 3, passing, which I love to do.

The 20-year-old is working to expand his offensive game during the predraft process. He is focusing on improving his shot from 3-point range and showing teams he can develop into a consistent floor spacer at the next level.

Clingan showed off that ability a bit at the draft combine in Chicago, Illinois. He impressed during the shooting portion of the workouts, converting over 60% of his attempts in the off-the-dribble and spot-up 3-point drills.

He rose rapidly up draft boards and is a proven winner at the collegiate level. He still has plenty of room to grow on the court, but believes he is more mature to handle playing in the NBA than he was after testing the process last year.

“Last year, I knew I was too young and wasn’t mature enough to play in the NBA,” Clingan said. “I realized I had to go back and just take my game to the next level.”

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