In a move that underscores their commitment to bolstering their frontcourt, the Portland Trail Blazers have selected Donovan Clingan from the University of Connecticut with the 7th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
Clingan, standing at an imposing 7-foot-2, joins the Trail Blazers following an impressive collegiate career highlighted by consecutive national championship victories with the Huskies. His selection comes amidst a draft class considered lean in overall talent, making Clingan a notable choice for teams seeking interior presence.
While Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr were frontrunners for the top pick, Clingan’s profile gained traction in recent evaluations. Following Sarr’s decision not to meet with the Atlanta Hawks, attention turned to Risacher, who was ultimately chosen as the first overall pick, and Clingan.
Despite slipping slightly in the draft order, Clingan, aged 20, is regarded as one of the more reliable prospects available. His collegiate statistics, averaging 13 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, attest to his impact both defensively and offensively. Notably, he played a pivotal role in neutralizing Purdue star Zach Edey during UConn’s recent championship triumph.
Clingan’s defensive capabilities are underscored by his near 7-foot-7 wingspan, which positions him as a formidable rim protector and a traditional center in today’s NBA landscape. His offensive game has also flourished, demonstrating efficiency near the basket with a shooting percentage approaching 64% last season.
Expected to contribute immediately, Clingan is poised to anchor Portland’s defense while also presenting significant potential for further development. Head coach Dan Hurley has drawn comparisons between Clingan and a youthful Nikola Jokić.
“What we talked to him about was don’t get caught up in mastering the game inside and out,” Hurley said, via ESPN. “We’d show him Nikola Jokić from an offensive standpoint when he was younger. So that Donovan would understand that when Jokić was 19, that wasn’t what he was doing right now. You’re watching what he’s doing right now and thinking I should be doing that right now. Well, that’s not what he was doing [at that age].
“If he was, well f***, he wouldn’t have been drafted in the second round.”
