Tag: donovan clingan

The latest 2024 NBA mock draft from Fox Sports has Donovan Clingan to the Rockets at No. 3

Is this the big man of the future in Houston?

Now that we know the order of the 2024 NBA Draft, we can better predict where players like UConn’s Donovan Clingan will play next season.

After winning back to back NCAA men’s basketball national championships, the big man is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. He is likely one of the first players who will hear his name called in Brooklyn at Barclays Center next month.

He measured just short of 7-foot-2 in socks with a wingspan nearly 7-foot-7 at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Both ranked as the top among all participants except for just Purdue’s Zach Edey, who Clingan defeated in the NCAA title game.

RELATED: A consensus shows how experts are projecting all of the top prospects

Although he is potentially a candidate at No. 1 overall to the Hawks, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the big man ranked at No. 5 overall in our first consensus mock draft after the lottery.

While that is fairly high for Clingan, he could go even higher. FOX’s John Fanta project the big man at No. 3 overall to the Rockets in his latest mock draft.

This would project Clingan as the big man of the future, alongside forward Alperen Sengun, for Houston. He would provide a solid young option for the Rockets, who recently acquired veteran Steven Adams.

RELATED: Full projections for the Hawks and the first round after the lottery

Our latest mock here at For The Win has Clingan potentially falling a bit and landing with the Grizzlies, though there are a wide range of outcomes for the UConn star on draft night.

Either way, though, Clingan is a promising big man with major upside on the defensive end of the floor.

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If the San Antonio Spurs draft a big man, should it be Donovan Clingan, or Zach Edey?

Which of these big men can shoot the rock to better fit in next French forward phenom Victor Wembanyama?

If the San Antonio Spurs draft a big man in the 2024 NBA draft, should it be University of Connecticut champion center Donovan Clingan, or Purdue big man Zach Edey? Is there a chance that vaunted combo big Alex Sarr falls to the Spurs’ range at No. 4 overall?

And which of these big men can shoot the rock to better fit in next French forward phenom Victor Wembanyama? San Antonio’s front office is doing its best to surround the rising star with the sort of players who best compliment his skill set and unearthly physical gifts. And when it comes to big men, these are some of the questions being considered.

The folks behind the “TSR Sports” podcast recently weighed in on a range of big man prospects in the coming draft. Check out the clip embedded below to hear their takes on the draft prospects who might best fit what San Antonio is trying to do.

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Donovan Clingan believes in potential fit with Rockets, Alperen Sengun

Donovan Clingan on a potential pairing in Houston with Alperen Sengun: “If he’s working inside, I’ll be able to step out and shoot the 3 and be able to space the floor.”

After Houston’s unexpected lottery jump to the No. 3 selection in the 2024 NBA draft, Connecticut center Donovan Clingan is among the more popular mock-draft projections at that slot.

There is, however, a tricky issue. Clingan plays almost exclusively at center, as does current Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who has become an emerging star entering his fourth season.

So, would it be worth it to draft Clingan, if there’s no clear path (as the roster is constructed) to a starting role? Or, perhaps by one or both developing a 3-point shot, is there a way the Rockets could eventually play both Clingan and Sengun together?

These are questions that general manager Rafael Stone and Houston’s front office will need to ponder in the weeks leading to the June 26 first round. At this week’s draft combine in Chicago, Clingan expressed confidence the pairing could work.

Via Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:

If he’s working inside, I’ll be able to step out and shoot the 3 and be able to space the floor. I could be very impactful at the defensive end, having team defense, ball-screen defense. I can see myself with (Sengun) for sure.

According to Feigen, Clingan fared well in shooting drills at the combine. However, game situations are obviously a greater challenge.

Beyond Clingan, Houston’s other popular mock-draft projections at No. 3 include Kentucky guards Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, and French forward Zaccharie Risacher.

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The latest 2024 NBA mock draft from CBS has Donovan Clingan to the Trail Blazers

Could the Blazers really take the UConn big man?

Where’s Donovan Clingan going in the 2024 NBA Draft after a terrific March?

In an uncertain NBA Draft class beyond seemingly consensus No. 1 pick Alex Sarr, Clingan has been projected all over the lottery. In our latest 2024 NBA mock draft from Bryan Kalbrosky, he’s got the UConn big man going No. 9 to the Memphis Grizzlies, who could use a Steven Adams replacement. But in the latest CBS Sports mock, he’s going No. 7 to the Blazers, who have Deandre Ayton under contract. But maybe the idea is to let Clingan develop and be ready in a couple of years.

Here’s what Gary Parrish wrote:

Clingan was a monster in the NCAA Tournament while helping UConn win a second straight national championship. The only real thing preventing him from being an ideal big in the modern-NBA is a reliable jumper. But everything else — an ability to block and alter shots, switch comfortably onto smaller players, etc., — is pretty easy to see and why Clingan could be a great long term fixture in the middle for Portland.

Intriguing! Make sure you check out the newest post-lottery mock draft from Bryan Kalbrosky, along with the official draft order post-lottery.

UConn center Donovan Clingan candidate to go No. 1 overall in NBA draft

UConn center Donovan Clingan is rocketing up NBA draft boards and could be a candidate to go No. 1 overall.

The 2024 NBA draft is a little under two months away, and there is still not any sort of consensus on who the number one overall pick will be. This year’s class does not boast a Victor Wembanyama type generational prospect, or even a clear cut top option like Paolo Banchero or Cade Cunningham.

Most believe the top player picked will be someone not in the college basketball ranks, either Zaccharie Risacher or Alex Starr, but ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that UConn center Donovan Clingan has “rocketed” up NBA draft boards and – depending how the lottery shakes out – he could be a candidate to go number one overall.

Clingan’s 7’2 frame, facilitation skills, touch around the rim, and dynamic shot blocking and overall defensive instincts make him a high floor center prospect, and his ceiling is a potential anchor on the block and Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Clingan averaged 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game as a sophomore while shooting 65% on two pointers. He scored 22 points with 10 rebounds and five blocks in a crucial Elite 8 win over Illinois, where his defense on the block effectively neutralized the No. 2 ranked offense in the country.

While his numbers against Purdue in the national championship – 11 points and five boards – may not jump off the page, he was a force on both ends of the floor and matched up well with two time National Player of the Year Zach Edey.

The NBA draft lottery will take place on Sunday, May 12 at 3:00 PM ET. Depending which team gets the top pick will determine if Clingan could become the first UConn player to be selected first overall.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban to declare for NBA draft, retain eligibility

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight title, averaging 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban announced Thursday on social media that he will declare for the 2024 NBA draft while retaining his remaining college eligibility.

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight championship after averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range. He produced eight 20-point games, including a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds on Dec. 9.

The 21-year-old joins teammate Donovan Clingan in declaring for the draft this year, while Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are also expected to enter. Clingan and Castle are projected to be lottery picks.

Karaban isn’t projected to be drafted, though he will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team interviews and workouts. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Donovan Clingan: NBA Draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 7’2 | 7’7 WS | 280 LBS Team: Connecticut Best aggregate mock draft rank: 7 / Worst rank: 19 2023-24 stats: In the 2023-24 season, Clingan played 33 games averaging 22.1 minutes per game. He scored 12.9 points per game, shooting 64.3 percent …

2004 | 7’2 | 7’7 WS | 280 LBS

Team: Connecticut

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 7 / Worst rank: 19

2023-24 stats:

In the 2023-24 season, Clingan played 33 games averaging 22.1 minutes per game. He scored 12.9 points per game, shooting 64.3 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three, and 57.4 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, he recorded 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.5 blocks, 0.5 steals, 2.0 personal fouls, and 0.8 turnovers per game.

His late mother, Stacey Clingan, played college basketball for the University of Maine.

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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Potential Thunder draft prospect Donovan Clingan repeats as national champion

Potential Thunder draft prospect Donovan Clingan repeats as national champion.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to convey to OKC than the latter.

With the NCAA Tournament concluded, top prospects were in the spotlight as they drew national attention for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is UConn center Donovan Clingan, who helped the Huskies win back-to-back championships. He finished with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and five rebounds in 31 minutes in UConn’s 75-60 win over Purdue in the national championship game on Monday.

In his second season, Clingan has been part of a dominant UConn squad that seeks to repeat as national champions. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 12.5 points on 64% shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

At 280 pounds, he has an NBA-ready frame and can give a team a classic rim-running big who can protect the rim. UConn went 31-3 and was the No. 1 seed in the East Region.

The Thunder could envision Clingan adding serious size at center. He could start alongside Holmgren for jumbo lineups or serve as an efficient backup center for OKC.

Potential Thunder draft prospect Donovan Clingan leads UConn to Final Four win

Potential Thunder draft prospect Donovan Clingan leads UConn to Final Four win.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to convey to OKC than the latter.

With the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament concluded, the top prospects were in the spotlight as they drew national attention for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is UConn center Donovan Clingan. He finished with 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, five rebounds and four blocks in 29 minutes in UConn’s 86-72 win over Alabama in the Final Four on Saturday.

In his second season, Clingan has been part of a dominant UConn squad that seeks to repeat as national champions. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 12.5 points on 64% shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

At 280 pounds, he has an NBA-ready frame and can give a team a classic rim-running big who can protect the rim. UConn went 31-3 and is No. 1 in the East Region.

The Thunder could envision Clingan adding serious size at center. He could start alongside Holmgren for jumbo lineups or serve as an efficient backup center for OKC.

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