With NBA offenses so good, every team needs a defensive big man who can close the rim.
Donovan Clingan is the man behind a defense ranked No. 8 in college. A proven winner should be able to do the same in the NBA.
Clingan was a dominant player in college, with no glaring weaknesses aside from poor free throw shooting and lack of a jumper. How does his game translate against bigger players and better athletes?
Here's a look at what the 20-year-old should be at the next level and where he could potentially go in the draft.
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Donovan Clingan stats
| status | average |
| point | 12.8 |
| rebound | 7.4 |
| assist | 1.5 |
| block | 2.4 |
| steal | 0.5 |
| field goal % | 64.8 |
| 3 points% | 33.3 |
| Free throw% | 58.3 |
Donovan Clingan height and weight
Klingan's most appealing aspect is his gigantic, NBA-ready body. Only three NBA players are taller than his 7-2 height.
- height:7-2
- weight: 280 pounds
- wingspan:7-7
Donovan Clingan's Strengths
When I look at Clingan, I see an NBA player. He's going to step in and be an impact defender and rebounder right away.
His performance with 14 points, 14 rebounds and an incredible eight blocks against Northwestern in the Round of 32 perfectly encapsulated why he is projected to be a lottery pick. He's huge and completely wall off the rim.
Clingan moves his body pretty well for a player his size. He can't convert every position, but he can play in a variety of defensive schemes. UW has used him high up the floor and on deep drops near the basket all year with great results.
Clingan has excellent athleticism both offensively and defensively. He'll go to great lengths to keep the play going defensively, and he's also a rim runner who will do his best to get easy transition baskets.
Clingan is a solid player, but his offensive power is limited. He would install killer screens and open up driving lanes for guards. He has a great soft touch near the rim as a roll man. He's not an extraordinary leaper, but he has good hands and can finish lobs.
Clingan's decision to stay as a sophomore reinforced some of the concerns about his passing ability. He tripled his assists per game while reducing turnovers. He's not a great passer, but he can make basic reads and should help in handoffs.
Mock Draft: Predict where the March Madness stars will go.
Donovan Klingan's weaknesses
Clingan will be a more traditional NBA big man. He doesn't have the shooting, ball-handling skills, or elite lateral movement that makes other players his size special.
He has been a poor free throw shooter since high school, making just 55.6 percent of his free throws in his two years at UConn. He has shown flashes of a jump shot and may be able to develop one someday.
His form looks good, but he probably won't shoot a ton of threes.
Lifelong Celtics fan Donovan Clingan draws attention from downtown inside TD Garden: pic.twitter.com/jq3CxX2yaM
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 27, 2024
I'm also worried about my health. Clingan did not see much playing time in college, missing the beginning of the college season due to injury. There's always that kind of risk with a player of his size.
More: Why Zach Eady is now considered a potential first-round pick
Donovan Clingan NBA Mock Draft Prediction
Mock draft projection: Late lottery
Clingan is projected to be an above-average starting center. That's not all that valuable in the modern NBA, where wings and playmaking guards are hard to find, but he's a very good basketball player who could be the anchor of a top defense. That's worth picking in the early teens, especially in a mediocre draft where there aren't that many sure bets.
Donovan Clingan NBA player comparison
Play like this: Ivica Zubac
Zubac has started every game for the Clippers this year, and his size, rebounding and rolling have helped the Clippers become a dangerous team in the West. Klingan is bigger and makes a better rim protector.
Zubac is no slouch on that end of the floor. His defensive impact has been underrated this season. He corrected his teammates' mistakes and moved decently well on the perimeter.
Zubac is a great roller and has also become a decent passer who can also do the job offensively. Although he can't spread the floor with his shooting, the Clippers still have a top-three offense and he opens up space for other, more talented scorers. That's the archetype Klingan most likely fits into.
