What’s next for Clingan and how will UConn replace him?
After bidding adieu to UConn Nation at his second championship parade in as many years, Donovan Clingan went back to campus and cleaned out his dorm, then drove to his Bristol home — past the billboards that bear his image on I-84 — on Sunday.
It was a quick visit with his dad, Bill. About 20 minutes: a quick chat about what’s coming up for the 7-foot-2 center, picking up a few things he needed, then heading back to Storrs.
“It’s all go, go, go for him,” Bill reported.
Donovan is slated to fly down to Miami on Sunday to begin workouts in preparation for the 2024 NBA Draft, for which he’s a projected lottery pick. He’ll continue his course work through online classes.
From May 12-19, Clingan will attend the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, then likely work out for numerous teams in the ensuing weeks until the June 26 draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Although the potential of fulfilling his dreams of playing in the NBA and earning millions as a lottery pick seemed to good to pass up, Clingan’s decision wasn’t easy.
“Very tough,” Bill said. “He loves it there. But, it’s time. He talked to the coaches. I told him, ‘Do what you think is right. You know more about this than I do. If you’re going to do it, make sure you put 100-percent in. That’s it.’ ”
And so, “Cling Kong” is off to Miami, then Chicago, then a bunch of workouts, then Brooklyn, then whatever city he lands in at the draft. Who he works out for, and ultimately who drafts him, will all be sorted out over the next couple of months, with help from his family and his agent, Sean Kennedy of Excel Sports Management.
Meanwhile, the question for UConn becomes: Who steps into Clingan’s sizeable shoes next season? Whoever it is will likely come out of the NCAA transfer portal. The Huskies got an official visit this weekend from 6foot-10 Michigan sophomore Tarris Reed Jr., and they threw a parade for him. Literally.
Well, not actually for him, but what better introduction to a program than a national champion
ship parade?
UConn has had contact with other centers, including 7-footers Vladislav Goldin of Florida Atlantic and Danny Wolf of Yale, but it doesn't appear either are too likely to land in Storrs. Why? Here's why.
Samson Johnson appears primed to return to UConn for his senior season, and the staff believes in Johnson strongly. If UConn adds a center through the portal, it will be somebody that can be very complementary of Johnson, similar to how Johnson complemented Clingan this season and Clingan complemented
Adama Sanogo two seasons ago.
Sure, Johnson is a very different player than Clingan: a 6-10 jumping-jack who is deadly on lobs and putbacks, but hardly a classic low-post threat. He's shown little shooting range and, while an effective rim-protector, has also been foul-prone.
But remember, before Clingan, Dan Hurley typically coached bigs who were more similar to Johnson, whether Kuran Iverson or Hassan Martin at Rhode Island or Tristan Thompson and Lance Thomas at Saint Benedict's Prep. The staff feel as though Johnson is ready to take on a bigger role next season.
Elsewhere, it remains to be seen what other
holes the Huskies need filled. A lot depends on the decision of Alex Karaban, the 6-8 shooter who is a bit of an NBA Draft ‘tweener (possible latefirst round, more likely
second round or undrafted). If Karaban goes (or if he stays), UConn will be in the market for a shooter, with Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton both out of eligibility. The Huskies
will more likely fill that need through either a 2024 recruit or an international player.
But again, the staff is very confident in the players currently on the roster. Solo Ball may not have shown it much in games (32 percent from 3), but has shown deft shooting touch in practice, and the staff expects him to make a big jump next season. Jaylin Stewart, who leapfrogged over Ball on the depth chart later in the season, can also make a big jump overall, including perimeter shooting.
The Huskies have a pair of top recruits coming in, led by point guard Ahmad Nowell, a four-star recruit who should give UConn a strong, two-headed point guard situation along with
Hassan Diarra. Isaiah Abraham, a 6-7 wing, closed out his senior season strong with a nice performance at the Chipotle National tournament last week.
There is always the possibility of a transfer or two down the roster, but that doesn't seem to be a big concern. The Huskies, particularly if Karaban returns, could end up having surprisingly little unexpected roster movement by the time next season tips off in November.
Between then, of course, there will be trips to the White House, firstpitch opportunities and other championship dinners and fetes.
And for Donovan Clingan, there will be trips to Miami, Chicago, Brooklyn and beyond.