After successful his second NCAA March Insanity Nationwide Championship with the College of Connecticut, middle Donovan Clingan would enter the 2024 NBA Draft, the place he was chosen seventh total by the Portland Path Blazers. The 7’2 middle has all of the instruments NBA groups search for in a modern-day massive man and will turn into a franchise cornerstone for a really younger Portland staff.
The Path Blazers took on the Los Angeles Clippers in a preseason exhibition in Seattle, Washington on Friday. In 19 minutes of motion, the rookie middle went three of 5 from the sector for seven factors with 5 rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot. Considered one of his buckets got here from the three-point line the place he was left large open, which was undoubtedly a deal with to see for Path Blazers followers.
Decide #7, Donovan Clingan, hammers the lob 🔥
Blazers-Clippers in lower than 2 minutes to play on NBA League Go!
📲 https://t.co/SPOTxHtPHi pic.twitter.com/xXeeJOc53x
-NBA (@NBA) October 12, 2024
“I believed it was nice to be competing towards one other staff aside from our guys,” » mentioned Clingan. “It felt good. However there are undoubtedly issues I might have accomplished higher. However it gave me a good suggestion of what it is going to be like this yr. And to have this as my first recreation, I am excited.
Clingan head coach Chauncey Billups thought his newly drafted middle was taking part in “good,” however it was apparent he wished him to enhance on some issues. Billups famous that Clingan is younger and a number of the errors he is made are because of his inexperience on the NBA degree.
“I believed he was OK,” Billups mentioned. “For me, they scored a bit of too simply there. It is only a dangerous behavior that younger kids have. »
When requested by Clingan how he felt throughout Friday’s outing, he credited his health as being an asset to him as he did not really feel drained after the sport.
“It’s much more bodily,” Clingan mentioned. “These guys are sturdy. They’re much older. I believe I dealt with it fairly properly. My conditioning feels good. Simply up and down, a number of journeys. I wasn’t actually drained.
With the lack of middle Robert Williams to harm, Clingan will seemingly be tasked with backing up former 2018 No. 1 total decide DeAndre Ayton. If the Path Blazers determine to tank for the highest decide in 2025, Ayton could possibly be traded to a staff prone to contend for a championship, which might propel Clingan right into a beginning function earlier than the tip of the season 2024-25.
Extra information: Blazers HC Chauncey Billups Corridor of Fame Induction: Tips on how to Watch
