Donovan Clingan NBA Combine 2024: Measurements, Analysis and Impressions
May 15, 2024
Donovan Clingan is regarded as one of the best frontcourt prospects in the 2024 draft, and scouts had the opportunity to get a closer look at him during the NBA draft combine this week.
The former UConn center and two-time national champion towered above nearly all of the other prospects, solidifying his status as a high lottery pick.
Clingan measured in at 7'1.75" without shoes and 282.0 pounds. His wingspan measured 7'6.75" and he had a standing reach of 9'7.0". The only player taller or bigger than him was two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey out of Purdue, who was listed at 7'3.75" and 299.0 pounds.
Despite his size, Clingan appeared to move well during the speed and agility drills during the combine:
During his breakout sophomore season with the Huskies, Clingan proved he can be effective at both ends of the floor. He finished the 2023-24 season with averages of 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. He was an efficient producer at the rim, shooting 64.5 percent from the field over his two-year career.
While Clingan didn't offer much in terms of three-point shooting in college, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony that expanding his range has been one of his biggest focuses of the pre-draft process:
Jonathan Givony @DraftExpressGot a chance to spend time with Donovan Clingan in Chicago. Impressive to see his unique combination of size, skill, passing, reach and improving range in person. Looks like the shot is really coming and will be part of his game in the not too distant future. <a href="https://t.co/wcZmPCt1Np">pic.twitter.com/wcZmPCt1Np</a>
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman listed Clingan as the No. 11 prospect in his latest draft big board and compared him to the best defensive center in the NBA.
"His measurements won't be far off from Rudy Gobert's. I wouldn't anticipate that level of impact, but Clingan has the right tools and movement to reach a high-end outcome for that archetype," Wasserman stated.
Wasserman projected Clingan to be selected with the No. 7 pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in his most recent mock draft. However, some analysts believe he's worthy of going as high as No. 2 to the Washington Wizards:
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedcICYMI: With the second pick in the NBA draft, the Wizards can't afford to swing and miss. In a draft w/o obvious generational talent at the top, Washington should take a shot on big man upside & grab UConn center Donovan Clingan. In <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a>: <a href="https://t.co/We3iakFNDL">https://t.co/We3iakFNDL</a>
Clingan will have a bright future in the NBA thanks to his two-way production. He already has the size to be a serviceable anchor on the frontline, and his abilities will only improve as he continues to develop physically.