Donovan Clingan and his Portland Trail Blazers jumped all over the Washington Wizards Sunday evening, surging to a 23-10 lead at the Moda Center.
Clingan scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in the first half as Portland continued to cruise, so during the intermission, the 7-foot-2 center’s mind briefly drifted back toward his home state of Connecticut. UConn men’s basketball was locked in an all-time Elite Eight contest with Duke, and he peeked over toward a security guard’s phone in time to watch Braylon Mullins drill a legendary 35-foot heave, sending Clingan’s former program back to the Final Four.
“Big time shot by a big time player,” Clingan said about Mullins’ shot during a post-game locker room interview. “We’re back where we belong.” Clingan later added that he held up the 3-point signal and fist-pumped in the air after watching the shot go in, later helping the Blazers secure a 123-88 win.
UConn eliminated UCLA, whose alumni includes Clingan’s teammate Jrue Holiday. Clingan said there was a little bit of trash-talking.
Clingan was asked what he means to see the Huskies back in the Final Four.
“It means a lot,” he said. “Just shows the program that we are, one of the best programs in the country. Back where we belong.”
Clingan said he received a call from his former teammate and roommate Alex Karaban.
“But we were still playing,” Clingan said. “So I’ve got to call him back. … I’m going to tell him, good job but the job is not done yet.”
Clingan grew up in Bristol and remained local to attend Bristol Central High School, blossoming into a four-star recruit and attracting interest from high-major programs around the country. He ultimately elected to remain home and commit to Dan Hurley’s UConn program, initially serving as a backup for Adama Sanogo before earning the starting role as a sophomore.
Across these two seasons in Storrs, Clingan didn’t take part in many March Madness thrillers, as the Huskies completed two of the most dominant NCAA Tournament runs in competition history. UConn’s 2022-23 squad won all six games by double-figures en route to Hurley’s first national title, compiling a 20-point average margin of victory. The following year’s team one-upped this feat with Clingan providing an elite two-way presence at the rim, winning its six games by an average of over 23 points.
Clingan went on to enter the 2024 NBA Draft and was taken by Portland with the No. 8 overall pick, one of four UConn players selected in that year’s event. The center has enjoyed a brilliant start to his professional career, averaging a double-double this season while leading all NBA players in offensive rebounds.