Donovan Clingan and his Portland Trail Blazers came out firing against the Washington Wizards on Sunday evening, racing to a commanding 23-10 lead at the Moda Center. Clingan, the towering 7-foot-2 center, made his presence felt early with six points and four rebounds in the first half, setting the tone for what would be a dominant night for Portland.
During halftime, Clingan's thoughts drifted back to his roots in Connecticut. UConn, his alma mater, was in the heat of an Elite Eight showdown with Duke. As fate would have it, he caught a glimpse of Braylon Mullins sinking an epic 35-foot shot on a security guard's phone, a moment that catapulted UConn back to the Final Four.
"Big time shot by a big time player," Clingan remarked post-game, reflecting on Mullins' clutch performance. "We're back where we belong." His excitement was palpable as he recounted celebrating the shot with a fist pump before helping the Blazers secure a decisive 123-88 victory.
The Huskies' triumph came at the expense of UCLA, a team with ties to Clingan's teammate Jrue Holiday. Naturally, some friendly banter ensued.
When asked about UConn's return to the Final Four, Clingan expressed pride. "It means a lot," he said.
"It just shows the program that we are, one of the best in the country. Back where we belong."
Despite the excitement, Clingan stayed focused on the task at hand. "But we were still playing," he noted.
"So I've got to call him back. ... I'm going to tell him, good job but the job is not done yet."
Clingan's journey began in Bristol, where he honed his skills at Bristol Central High School. As a four-star recruit, he caught the attention of top programs nationwide but chose to stay local, committing to Dan Hurley's UConn. Initially backing up Adama Sanogo, Clingan stepped into the starting role as a sophomore.
During his two seasons in Storrs, Clingan witnessed UConn's dominance in March Madness. The 2022-23 team captured the national title with an average victory margin of 20 points. The following year, Clingan's stellar two-way play helped elevate the team further, winning their tournament games by an average of over 23 points.
Clingan declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected eighth overall by Portland, one of four UConn players to make the leap that year. His transition to the NBA has been impressive, as he averages a double-double and leads the league in offensive rebounds, showcasing his relentless work ethic and skill.