-
Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Donovan Clingan, a 7-foot-2 sophomore from the University of California and a key part of the Huskies' back-to-back NCAA championship teams, will enter the 2024 NBA Draft, Clingan said Friday. he told ESPN.
Clingan, the No. 3 prospect on ESPN's Top 100 list, is projected to be a No. 1 pick in June's draft after a dominant performance late in the season and in the NCAA Tournament.
After a historic high school and college career, Clingan left college and headed to the NBA. Before he joined his coach Dan Hurley at University College Bristol, Clingan was under his coach Tim Barrett, where he became one of Connecticut's all-time academic legends at Central High School.
After overcoming some early season struggles, the 20-year-old Clingan played his best basketball in March and April. He used his 7-foot-7 wingspan and incredible timing to become a prolific shot blocker, ranking eighth in the nation with an average of 2.5 shots.
Clingan also played a huge role for the nation's No. 1-ranked offense. The Huskies broke through many of the half-court sets with Clingan's low, mid and high posts. He set screens, had easy handoffs off the dribble, finished well with both hands, and showed polished footwork at the rim.
Clingan averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.2 blocks for the Huskies in the 2024 tournament, all above his season averages. He had a career-high eight blocks in a win over Northwestern in the second round. His total of 19 blocks in the NCAA Tournament was the most since the 2016 tournament.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Clingan is one of two players in Division I with 400 points, 80 blocks and 50 assists this season, joining back-to-back John R. Wooden Award winner Zach Eadie (Purdue). got in line.
The NBA Draft will be held in New York City on Wednesday, June 26th and Thursday, June 27th.
ESPN NBA Draft Analyst Jonathan Givony contributed to this report.
