UConn men’s basketball players, Bristol’s Donovan Clingan in particular, have climbed up NBA draft boards as the team continues to perform at an elite level on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Clingan was even said to be in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, on Monday.
After he dominated Illinois, the nation’s second-best offense coming into Saturday’s Elite Eight, with 22 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks (there were more that weren’t counted by the official scorer) and three steals, Clingan rose to No. 3 overall in the mock draft released by ESPN on Monday.
“Donovan Clingan is ESPN’s projected No. 3 pick after a steady rise through March. He’s also in the conversation for No. 1 after a career-best showing in arguably the most impressive two-way performance of any player this season in the Elite Eight,” Givony posted to X.
Donovan Clingan is ESPN’s projected No. 3 pick after a steady rise through March. He’s also in the conversation for No. 1 after a career-best showing in arguably the most impressive two-way performance of any player this season in the Elite Eight.
STORY: https://t.co/cCdvBvjZbs pic.twitter.com/V7hmJtCpaw
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 1, 2024
If the Final Four goes chalk, with both No. 1 seeds advancing, there could be a matchup between the 7-foot-2 Clingan and Purdue’s 7-foot-4, 300-pound Zach Edey in the national title game which scouts – and fans – would certainly pay attention to.
“Illinois shot 3-for-25 from inside the arc (12%) in Clingan’s 22 minutes on the floor, going 0-for-19 when challenging him directly, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He blocked close to half of those attempts (despite only being officially credited with five) while altering many others with his 7-foot-7 wingspan and incredible timing as a rim protector,” Givony wrote, while praising Clingan’s mobility and footwork.
“There will be plenty of debate between now and June regarding who is the better prospect: Clingan or ESPN’s projected No. 2 pick Alex Sarr. (And Sarr is now firmly in the conversation at No. 1, as well.)… One general manager asked ESPN recently, ‘Rudy Gobert or Donovan Clingan?’ regarding who will be the more impactful defensive player, which highlights a college player being compared to a three-time NBA defensive player of the year winner… In a draft lacking in star power at the top, Clingan looks as close…
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