Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Draft expert suggests UConn big man will be a top-five pick in NBA Draft

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 24, 2024 11:55 AM ET

UConn Huskies center Donovan Clingan is climbing draft boards, with many experts indicating he'll be a top-five pick on Wednesday night.

ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo passed along that there has been "trade chatter" surrounding picks No. 3 and No. 4 as the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs contemplate potential deals. Most of Woo's sources believe the Memphis Grizzlies (pick No. 9) will target the 20-year-old center, but some are keeping an eye on the Oklahoma City Thunder (pick No. 12).

In his latest mock draft, CBS Sports' Adam Finkelstein has Houston trading the third pick to Memphis, which takes Clingan.

Memphis may want to take Clingan and pair him with power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, to strengthen its frontcourt. The Grizzlies tied for fourth in the league in blocks (6.1) last season, but the 7-foot-2 prospect could help them kick it up a notch.

In 35 games last season, Clingan showcased his shot-blocking ability, ranking eighth in college basketball in blocks (2.5). His impact was evident in the NCAA Tournament, where he helped the Huskies repeat as national champions. Against Illinois in the Elite Eight, the Fighting Illini went 0-of-19 on shots contested by the big man.

DONOVAN CLINGAN BLOCK AND SLAM

Huskies are on fire. pic.twitter.com/mcwV60ijmg
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 30, 2024

"He's good at using his size to protect the rim, but he's also gotten mobile enough to hedge on the perimeter," wrote The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, who rates Clingan as the second-best prospect in the class. "He can flip his hips to contain penetrating players and recover to the roller if necessary."

Clingan must improve his shooting range to fulfill his potential. In two seasons with the Huskies, he went 2-of-9 from three-point range and shot 55.8% from the foul line.

Still, it's easy to see why teams like the Grizzlies seem willing to trade up for Clingan, who may become one of the few standouts in what many consider a weak draft.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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