Donovan Clingan Scouting Report: Pro Comps, Predictions for 2024 NBA Draft Prospect
Donovan Clingan Full Scouting Report
School: Connecticut
Nationality: USA
Age: 20
Position: C
Size: 7'2", 280 lbs
Donovan Clingan was a key bench player during Connecticut's 2023 national title run. He returned this year to a starting job and led the Huskies to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.
Clingan is a defensive game-changer and walking easy basket at 7'2". Although he lacks the modern skills of previous lottery big men like Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren or Evan Mobley, NBA teams still continue to show interest older-school, interior-oriented centers like Dereck Lively II, Jalen Duren, Mark Williams and Walker Kessler.
Given Clingan's archetype as a 5 who plays only one position and rarely touches the ball outside the paint, he won't be for everyone. But teams will know exactly what they're getting with a 280-pound man in the middle, and there should be a few in the lottery who can use his rim protection and physicality.
Projected Role, Pro Comps, Best Team Fits
1 of 5
Projected role: Finisher/rim protector
Pro comparisons: Jakob Poeltl, Walker Kessler, Ivica Zubac
Best team fits: Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks
Donovan Clingan's NBA role will be well-defined and the same as it was for Connecticut.
Offensively, he'll spend possessions setting screens and rolling, waiting in the dunker's spot or commanding low-post touches with his back to the basket. He'll be a catch-and-finish big man who also puts pressure on the offensive glass.
Defensively, he'll anchor the paint, play drop coverage in pick-and-rolls and prevent second-chance points with his massive size for defensive rebounding.
There are plenty of starting centers with Clingan's archetype, physical strengths and limited skills. Like Poeltl, he'll be valued mostly for his scoring efficiency around the basket and defensive impact.
Draft Projection
2 of 5
Draft ceiling: Top 10
Draft floor: Top 20
The idea that Clingan could help change a team's defensive identity could sway teams to consider him before bigger projects with more versatility or perceived higher ceilings.
There is also a sure-thing factor tied to his enormous physical profile and translatable inside scoring, rebounding and rim protection. In a draft without obvious stars, Clingan's certainty could hold extra weight.
But he may have to wait for a team to be on the clock that has a specific need for interior defense and physicality. Clingan's inability to play the 4, handle or shoot means he won't fit every starting lineup, and teams with top-10 or late-lottery picks may be hesitant to spend those on a backup big man.
Many of the league's poor defensive teams are already invested in young centers. That includes Detroit Pistons with Jalen Duren, the Charlotte Hornets with Mark Williams, the San Antonio Spurs with Victor Wembanyama, the Portland Trail Blazers with Deandre Ayton and the Utah Jazz with Walker Kessler.
At some point, a team might just decide that Clingan is the best prospect available, and that it can't hurt to have two impactful rim protectors in its rotation.
Physical Tools and Athleticism
3 of 5
There are only a handful of NBA players listed at or above 280 pounds. At 7'2", Clingan should immediately be able to use his body to move defenders, win rebounding battles and hold his ground in the paint.
It's going to be difficult for opponents to get many putback opportunities when Clingan is under the boards boxing out.
However, he isn't a great vertical athlete or leaper. He lacks explosion, which can allow defenders to contest his shots around the basket, in spite of all that size/height.
With that said, he has flashed some improved mobility, particularly with his footwork and hips defending pick-and-rolls.
Signature Strengths
4 of 5
Interior defense
Clingan's primary draw is his ability to shrink the windows around the rim for opposing scorers. Even when he's not blocking shots—which he does by using his length, anticipation and mobility—he's changing attempts and altering decisions of incoming drivers.
He also moves well in pick-and-roll situations, and he shows a good feel for cutting off angles for ball-handlers.
Entering the NCAA tournament, opponents only shot 3-of-26 against Clingan in the post. That's a reflection of his strength and ability to keep his man from moving him back or creating space.
Interior scoring
Clingan shot over 60.0 percent from the field in consecutive years by using his body to carve out space and soft hands to finish around the basket. He creates easy angles for himself from below the rim. He can also play above it for lob-catching and putbacks.
He's highly efficient going over either shoulder with his back to the basket as well.
Rebounding
Clingan spends the majority of his minutes around the basket, so he's often in position to grab rebounds. He eats up a ton of space and makes it tough to anyone to win loose balls in his area.
Weaknesses
5 of 5Versatility
Clingan can only play minutes at the 5 because he lacks ball-handling or perimeter skill. His particular game requires floor-spacing from his team's forwards.
Free throws
Clingan could spend a lot of time at the free-throw line given how physical he is. However, he shot below 60 percent from the charity stripe during both of his seasons at Connecticut.
He also made only three jumps shots all season, rarely attempting a shot with two hands on the ball.
Explosion
Clingan is going to face much taller and stronger big men in the NBA, and he won't be able to rely as much on his height as he did in college. He lacks vertical explosiveness and sometimes has trouble separating despite his advantageous physical tools.
.jpg?w=600 "Best NFL Free Agents")
.jpg?w=600 "Super Bowl champ QB visits new team")
