Bristol, Connecticut native Donovan Clingan was a centerpiece of two national championship teams as a UConn Husky. He was the nation’s best backup big man in 2023 and a two-way destroyer on the 2024 title team. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in his last college season before being picked 7th overall in the NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
After a solid rookie year (6.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG), Clingan is taking the next step in his second pro season. The
22-year-old is averaging 11.8 points and 11.5 rebounds on 52.6 percent shooting, earning himself a spot in the Blazers’ starting lineup.
Clingan’s rebounds per game put him third in the league behind stars like Karl-Anthony Towns (11.8) and Nikola Jokic (12.6). He’s doing it in just 27.4 minutes per game, while Jokic and Towns each play over 30 minutes per contest. Clingan also averages 1.5 blocks per game, putting him inside the top-10, and a solid 2.5 assists per game. He was always a solid passer with the Huskies.
Several performances this season highlight Clingan’s progress. On Jan. 3, he put up a career high 24 points along with 12 rebounds, helping the Blazers take down a Finals-contending San Antonio Spurs team. Clingan shot an efficient 3-for-5 from downtown in the win, something we never would have seen from him in a UConn jersey.
Though he showed that he can hit it, Clingan only hit two in college. He has developed a respectable three-point threat for a center since entering the league. He made 14 from beyond the arc on 28.6%. This year, he’s up to 63 threes in 187 attempts, good for 34%.
The big man had a dominant month of February, averaging 14.3 points and 13 boards per contest.
Feb. 12 saw Clingan put up 23 points and 18 rebounds against the Jazz. He followed up the stellar night with another 23 points and 13 rebounds against Phoenix. Other notable performances in February include one rebound shy of a 20-20 game against Memphis, a 16 rebound game against Minnesota, and a 13 point, 17 rebound performance against the Grizzlies.
During the All-Star break, Clingan was selected for the Rising Stars challenge. The format was tournament style, featuring rookies, sophomores, and G-League players as well, with teams coached by former NBA stars. Clingan was picked by Team Melo. He scored a team-high nine points in the first game and went to the championship game, scoring six points in a finals loss to Team Vince.
February was a momentous month off the court for Clingan as well, as he proposed to his high school sweetheart, Madeline Ross. Dan Hurley provided some simple advice for Clingan when he heard the news of the engagement.
“Just learn how to apologize,” said Hurley.
This season has included learning moments. Just two games ago, Clingan was ejected for the first time in his career. Late in the second quarter against Memphis, the big man had the ball at the top of the key. He used his elbow to gain space and caught defender Olivier Maxence-Prosper, a former Marquette star, in the face. Officials reviewed the play and called it a flagrant 2, an automatic ejection.
The Blazers’ most recent game was a close 106-99 loss to Houston. Clingan finished the night with 18 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 7-for-11. He picked up his 25th double-double Friday night, tying him for 10th in the league in the category.
Clingan and his team are now pushing for a postseason appearance. The Trail Blazers are 30-34, holding the 10th spot in the Western Conference, 5.5 games ahead of 11th place and just 8 games out of a top-6 seed. For Clingan, meaningful basketball brings familiar territory. The former Husky built his reputation in March and is looking to do so in the NBA.
