UConn Huskies star big man Donovan Clingan will declare for the 2024 NBA Draft after winning a national championship, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Clingan was a key piece for UConn head coach Dan Hurley in the team’s back-to-back title runs.
“It will be very hard for me to leave my brothers after all the success these past two years, but the time is NOW!” Clingan shared in a post declaring for the draft.
In the Huskies’ national championship win over the Purdue Boilermakers, the center scored 11 points, playing 31 minutes. He also had five rebounds, a block and an assist. In the semi-final game against Alabama, he had 18 points and against Illinois, he posted a high of 22. His total of 19 blocks in the NCAA tournament was the most since 2016.
During the 2023-24 season, Clingan averaged 13 points and 7.4 rebounds a game while playing 22.6 minutes a game. The 7-foot-2, 280-pound center is considered a potential top-5 pick in this year’s draft.
As a freshman last season, Clingan appeared in all 39 games for the Huskies. He averaged 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting 65.5% from the field.
Hailing from Bristol, Conn., he played his high school basketball at Bristol (Conn.) Central High School. He was ranked as a top-50 prospect by three of four major rankings, and No. 33 in the nation by the On3 rankings.
Clingan says goodbye to UConn after two championship seasons
Clingan took to social media on Friday to share a message with UConn fans as well as his family, coaches, and teammates.
“First and foremost, BACK TO BACK National Championships is legendary!” the big man wrote. “These past two years have exceeded all my dreams and expectations. I will be forever grateful for the memories created with all my brothers, and I’ll cherish every moment forever!
“I’d like to thank my dad, my sister, my grandma, Maddie and the rest of my family and close friends for supporting and guiding me through my journey and pushing me to be my best.
“To Coach Hurley, Coach Kimani, Coach Murray, and Coach Moore, thank you for believing in the kid from Connecticut and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. You have all changed my life and I’ll be forever grateful for the impact you’ve had on me. I love you guys.
“To my Mom, my biggest inspiration, I’ll continue to work my hardest to make you proud!
“To HUSKY NATION, thank you for your unbelievable support to the team and me these past two years. You have been our biggest supporters and gave the team and me the confidence and motivation to go out there everyday and win.”
More must-reads: