Donovan Clingan gained two nationwide championships throughout his two years at UConn, and because the Bristol native embarks on his NBA profession with the Portland Path Blazershe could also be beginning to perceive much more how distinctive his school expertise was.
On the Blazers’ media day forward of the 2024-25 season, Clingan was requested to match practices together with his new staff beneath head coach. Chauncey Billups to these he lived in Storrs with Dan Hurley.
“Chauncey is nice, I really feel like they’re two totally different kinds” Clingan advised reporters. “Practices had been undoubtedly harder at UConn, that’s for positive. Chauncey is a good, extra laid again coach, however Danny is intense, man. It is two and a half hours of being yelled at, it is a very intense coach.
Clingan additionally spoke about his summer season and the issue of leaving his school years behind.
“It was actually exhausting to go away Storrs behind. Each time I am going again to Connecticut, I all the time cease to say howdy. But it surely was an excellent transition. I have been in Portland lots, simply making an attempt to do little issues to get higher, stronger, work on my physique, work on my recreation. I actually simply tried to adapt to this degree, to get adapt to this type of play and attempt to enhance.
Whereas Clingan has gotten used to his new digs in Portland, the previous Husky Stephon Fort discovered from one of many nice level guards of all time, Chris Paul. He advised reporters at Spurs media day what he has discovered from Paul up to now.
“The best way he sees the sport is so totally different than a high-level NBA participant.” Fort mentioned. “I imply, he sees the sport a lot totally different, so with the ability to perceive what he does on the court docket additionally type of helps me enhance my recreation.”
Fort will take the court docket for his first preseason recreation with the Spurs on October 7 towards the Thunder. Clingan’s Blazers kick off the preseason on October 11 towards the LA Clippers.
