Upsides

• Great size

• Good rim protector

• Great touch around the rim, looks like that could extend further from the rim

• Solid passer for a big man

• Efficient scorer

• Great rebounder on both ends of the court

Downsides

• Not a switchable defender

• Not a good shooter right now

Conclusion

will add scouting report soon

Shades of: Steven Adams, Jakop Poeltl

DONOVAN CLINGAN BREAKDOWN

Donovan Clingan

The built 7ft 2 national champion is not your average oversized big who’s dominant in college but doesn’t fit the mold for an NBA center. Clingan is a stout defender with a 7ft 7 wingspan. Players are scared to shoot when he’s near them. His impact is beyond blocks and contests because he regularly forces offensive players to kick out once they’ve received the ball close to the basket. The main reason for this is his anticipation. He sees the driver or cutter so early that they don’t even get a chance to shoot. Obviously players won’t be as hesitant to shoot over him in the league, but his length, awareness, and anticipation should make him a good shot blocker at the next level. His athleticism and mobility make me question just how good of a shot blocker he will be, and this also hurts him outside the paint. He isn’t versatile at all he struggles to even guard 4’s on the perimeter. I think if he plays a strictly rim protecting role however, he could be very impactful. I think he could be an average offensive player. He’s a complete non-shooter and he isn’t athletic enough to be a great lob threat, but his effort on the glass and passing vision gives him a role to play in the offense. Hes going to play a similar role in the nba as he does at UConn. Grab a lot of offensive rebounds, he’s one of the best in the country at that. Lots of dribble handoffs, an easy counter to him being a non-shooter. He’s also a good passer, he regularly finds cutters and delivers these passes on time and with accuracy. He is also a good outlet passer. I don’t think he’ll ever be good enough to the point where he’s getting designed plays for him in the post. He lacks touch and doesn’t have a deep bag of post moves. I think his offensive game will be playmaking center who scores the glass. If he can develop touch around the rim that increases the likelihood of him being a starter level NBA center.

Donovan Clingan - UConn (C - HT: 7’2” - WING: 7’7” - WT: 260 - A: 20y)

- A classic center
- Top shelf drop defense, rim rolls, good post offense, and rebounds on both ends
- Good screener
- Soft touch
- Really good passer, could be a hub.
- Not going to be a switchable defender, he’s just too big and heavy
- Doesn’t have a 3pt shot yet but his touch and jumper look solid - this could elevate him to the next level
- Floor is a decent traditional center, upside is a really good one
- Multiple foot injuries this year, concerning for a guy with his size
- Shades of Walker Kessler, Brook Lopez if his shot comes around, Mark Williams, reminds me almost of Steven Adams with his backdoor passing
- Best fits: OKC, DEN, SAC, HOU, GSW

Range: 6 - 15

Clingan is a defender. Comparing him to Alex Sarr who is another talented defender, Clingan is much better in the post compared to Sarr, but Sarr is better on the perimeter. Not to say Clingan can't guard perimeter players, you just don't want him to continuously. Clingan was one of few players to be able to take Zach Edey 1 on 1 last year, and while Edey was still productive, no one else can really say they were as good on Edey as Clingan was.

Offensively his bag needs some work, and he will not be a go to scorer for any team for the first couple years of his career. I think there is some groundwork laid that he can build off of, but it will take time.

Ceiling: Dikembe Mutombo Floor: Walker Kessler Comparison: Mark Eaton

Ideal Fits:

1. Washington Wizards

2. Charlotte Hornets

3. Memphis Grizzlies

ATTRIBUTES

Pros:

• Huge

• Good shot blocker

• Solid finisher

• Solid playmaker

• Solid rebounder

• Solid motor

• Decent mobility (for size)

Cons:

• Non-shooter

• Can struggle to guard more athletic players

• Can be too passive

• Lacking a post-game

OVERALL

Mould/role: Interior big

Player Comp: Walker Kessler

Tier: 4

Strengths:

Size

Terrific Around The Rim

Above-Average Playmaker (For His Size)

Solid Rebounder

Weaknesses:

Poor Shooter

Not Very Athletic

Player Comparisons: Walker Kessler

Poste(s) : C

Âge : 20 ans

Taille : 2m18

Stats : 12.7pts, 7.2reb, 1.6ast, 0.5stl, 2.2blk

Adresse : 64%fg, 33%3pt, 57%ft

2m18 pour 120kg, on a là un pivot format montagne. Clingan a de bonnes mains près du cercle, passeur intelligent au-dessus de ses "petits" adversaires, il ne lui manque finalement qu'un tir (quelque soit la distance d'ailleurs), or vu les deux dernières saisons NCAA du bonhomme, ça n'a pas l'air d'en prendre le chemin... Qu’à cela ne tienne, il est en revanche un gardien du panier garanti pour la franchise qui le draftera. Même si les extérieurs NBA devraient se régaler lors des switches sur pick-and-roll ! Il a montré des aptitudes pour défendre au large, mais évidemment jamais encore affronté des équipes calibrées NBA. Certains l’imaginent dans un rôle bien précis (à la Rudy Gobert ?) comme unique non-shooteur dans un cinq de départ, tandis que d’autres ne le voient pas devenir titulaire à cause des lacunes évoquées plus haut. Alors, faille trop limitante ou lui trouvera-t-on un partenaire complémentaire au poste 4 afin de profiter de son imposante présence dans la raquette ?