UConn's Donovan Clingan is a larger-than-life 7-foot-2 post menace. His journey is shaped and fueled by tragedy, including the death of his mother six years ago.
UConn's Donovan Clingan is a larger-than-life 7-foot-2 post menace. His journey is shaped and fueled by tragedy, including the death of his mother six years ago. "He's always got to be the first one to be anywhere," Andrew Hurley said, flashing the family's noted sarcastic chuckle."We will be walking into team dinner tonight, he'll be the first one into the restaurant. He's always got to be the first one there.
His four years at a local public school, Bristol Central High School in Bristol, Conn., and playing for the home-state university cast a throwback vibe to Clingan's basketball development. He projects as a top-5 pick in the upcoming NBA draft and has led UConn to the cusp of back-to-back NCAA titles. It marks an on-time arrival of an atypical plan.temptations of the system and stayed local, the rare four-year public high school player to emerge as a high-profile recruit.
After graduation, she taught first grade at Green Hills Elementary in Bristol and touched a generation of students.Donovan Clingan on his mom, Stacey "When she passed, I really just told myself I want to just take my game to another level," Clingan said."I want to play in her name, her honor and try to do special things so I can make her proud."
Staying for his sophomore season elevated his own career and extended UConn's dominance of college basketball. In the summer, Clingan would landscape yards for Brown, even leaving a souvenir dent on the side of one of Brown's dump trucks when a lawnmower flipped during an ill-fated attempt to mow a hill."Hey Mr. Brown, I dinged up the door on your dump truck," Clingan recalled sheepishly."I tried to be cute with the yellow mower. It didn't work out. I'll pay for it.
"She was such a magnetic personality. She had legions of friends in town, and they helped take those kids under their wing. It's such a strong bond." Clingan led Bristol Central to a state title in 2022. The title-game victory marked 43 consecutive wins for the school. He averaged 30.3 points and 18.4 rebounds in the season that ended with a banner.
But everyone knew there would be a lot of work between his commitment and a spot in the NBA draft green room, and Clingan has embraced the journey. When the 2022-23 season ended with the Huskies winning the national title and Clingan contributing off the bench, he didn't really ponder the NBA. The list of what he has worked on this season is long, as he has focused on his passing, finishing over both shoulders and expanding his range. .
Clingan refers to Danny Hurley as an"enemy and your best friend at the same time," appreciative of how he has pushed him hard in practice and embraced him off the floor."He wants to get the most out of you," Clingan said,"and he wants you to be on your 'A' game without being complacent."
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