Missing UConn’s season-opener wasn’t an option for sophomore center Donovan Clingan.
The Bristol native, cleared to practice just a week before the Huskies opened the 2023-24 campaign on Nov. 6, missed about a month with a foot injury he suffered in a September practice. Being forced to the sideline as the team prepared for the season came as a form of torture for the extroverted, 7-foot-2 preseason All-American.
He hopped on the exercise bikes and spent time in the training pools to maintain his cardio as he tried to get back onto the court as fast as possible.
“The first game was obviously important to me, I was just trying to get on the court and try to be there for my team,” he said after scoring 17 points in Friday’s 90-60 win over Manhattan. “It’s hard for me to sit on the sideline and watch, I’ve just got so much energy and want to play as much as I can. … I was in rehab every single day for hours just trying to do everything I can, ice and just try to get back as fast as possible.
“Now I’m starting to feel like I’m getting my wind back, I’m fully getting up and down the court like I used to and it’s definitely a great feeling.”
Projected to be a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft before the season began, Clingan will first play a critical role for the reigning national champions as he steps into the lead big-man role previously held by Adama Sanogo – who has gotten off to an impressive start with the Chicago Bulls’ G League affiliate. Once he’s fully back, Clingan’s minutes are expected to double from last year when he averaged 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 13.1 minutes per game.
“He showed what he’s all about, he showed what our people are all about in the program by really pushing and rushing himself to get back for the opener,” head coach Dan Hurley said. “He didn’t get much time on the court before he got himself out there but that’s the type of man he is and that’s the type of men we have in the locker room.”
On a minute restriction through the first three buy games, Clingan averaged 15 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in 18 minutes per game. The restrictions were lifted when UConn went down to Madison Square Garden for the Empire Classic and Clingan had to battle with Indiana’s star 7-footer, Kel’el Ware. He played a career-high 30 minutes in that game and kept Ware in check during what was a 77-57 win over the…
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