Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan made progress between last year’s rookie season and his sophomore campaign this year. He’s noticeably stronger, fitter and faster, ensuring he was ready to make the role of starter his own.
The difference between his two NBA seasons has been stark. He’s become a two-way anchor, capably competing for close to 30 minutes per game without a dip in impact.
Clingan is an elite offensive rebounder. His intriguing three-point shot, while still imperfect, has the
potential to open up all kinds of opportunities for this team.
At 22, Clingan boasts a game that still has plenty of room for growth. But does that ability translate to more than just contending for All-Defensive Team honors?
Let’s look at his progress.
Rookie Season
Almost nobody is ready for their NBA in their rookie season. The former UConn star was noticeably out of breath after just a few trips down the court in 2024-25.
That lack of endurance was my biggest concern for the two-time national champion after he was selected by the Blazers with the seventh pick in what was admittedly a weak 2024 NBA Draft.
Clingan’s rookie year was fine but nothing to get too excited about. He finished the campaign with averages of 6.5 points on 28.6 percent shooting from three, 7.9 boards, 1.1 assists and 1.6 blocks in 19.8 minutes.
In a move that opened the door for Clingan’s drive, the franchise bought out former starter Deandre Ayton, replacing the veteran by drafting Chinese rookie Yang Hansen with the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Though Yang was far from ready, the move may have also shown Clingan that his role may not have been 100 percent safe.
Sophomore Season
Clingan’s rise through his second season has been gradual.
In November, he delivered 10.5 points on 26.3 percent shooting from three and 48.6 percent from the field. He also provided 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 25.3 minutes.
In February, he’s averaged 14.3 points on 46.3 percent from three and 55.3 percent from the field to go with 13.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 blocks in 28.7 minutes. His rebounding totals include including a league-best 4.9 offensive boards per game.
All of the above is pleasing, but for me three-point percentage and offensive rebounds are key.
No one has ever doubted Clingan’s defensive bona fides. He’s a big man with natural instincts and a genuine desire to be good on that end of the court. I’d go as far as to say he’s guaranteed at least a couple of All-Defensive Team honors.
If Clingan can keep that three-point rate as close to 40 percent as possible, defenses will have no choice to pay him more attention, opening up the floor for guys like Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.
More importantly, his ability to grab offensive rebounds is giving the inefficient and turnover-happy Blazers a chance to stay in games through repeated chances at the rim. Thanks to Clingan, Portland is second in offensive rebounds, behind only the Houston Rockets, with 14.2 per game.
While most of his playmaking occurs in dribble hand-offs and screens, Clingan’s ability to pass out of traffic, particularly in those offensive-rebounding scenarios, should not go unnoticed either. It’s also reflected in his 3.2 assist per game average we saw in February.
All-Star Candidacy
Clingan has not only established himself as a starting-level NBA center this season, he’s been downright dominant over the past month. Being in shape has given him the energy to fight for boards, get to his spots, protect the rim, and compose himself before pass or releasing the jump shot.
All of these factors have gone into the overall improvement. Clingan has shown he has it in him to be a physical threat unlike any other big man in the league.
The centers chosen in this year’s All-Star lineups include Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Duren, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Outside of Wembanyama, there’s nothing to suggest Clingan can’t match or surpass the rest on the defensive end. While offensively limited, he has the size and strength to meet most under the rim. With his offensive game still growing, I’m reluctant to stick a flag in his ceiling.
I’m not suggesting Clingan is a better player than any of the above. But if the 22-year-old continues to solidify the parts of the game he excels at, there’s nothing to suggest he can’t join the group, especially if that two-way potential becomes reality.
Conclusion
We all knew how good a defender Donovan Clingan was before the start of the season, but the way he’s now changing games is more than what this writer expected. He’s graduated from serviceable starting center to one of this franchise’s most important players.
If all else fails, Clingan has it in him to be a multi-time All-Defensive Team player who might have serious Defensive Player of the Year juice if it weren’t for a Frenchman named Wembanyama.
Clingan’s three-point shot, ability to pass in traffic, and knack for gobbling up rebounds makes him a key to this team moving forward.
Clingan has grabbed the opportunity created by Deandre Ayton’s departure, solidifying himself as an above-average-to-elite center.
Right now, any All-Star speculation is based on a couple of months of production and the possibility of the Blazers rising up the standings, which admittedly, isn’t much. But if he can continue to contribute like he has, the fiery five has the chance to carve out his own individual story in a league that’s turning back to the big man.
