Is Donovan Clingan playing tonight against Philadelphia 76ers? Latest on Blazers center's status for Summer League game (July 15)
The Portland Trail Blazers solidified their defense with the selection of Donovan Clingan in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft. Clingan made his NBA debut for the Blazers on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs, playing 27 minutes. He is on the roster and is set to suit up again for Portland when they face the Philadelphia 76ers at Thomas and Mack Center on Monday.
Clingan, the seventh overall pick in the NBA draft, is a major addition to a Trail Blazers organization that is looking to rebuild its roster. At 7-foot-2, he is an imposing figure on the court and can contribute on both the offensive and defensive fronts.
Saturday's game against the Spurs was a chance to see Donovan Clingan in action against high-level opposition, and the rookie did not disappoint. He made an instant impact, recording 13 rebounds, five blocks and a steal.
While Clingan was defensively solid, his poor shooting night is cause for concern. The rookie was 1/8 from the field and managed just four points in his debut.
The Summer League is in full swing, with all 30 NBA teams in Las Vegas for the preseason tournament. After a disappointing season where they finished last in the Western Conference with a 21-61 record, the Blazers will use the competition as an opportunity to develop their young talent.
The Portland Trail Blazers face the Philadelphia 76ers in their next matchup on Monday. It is set to tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be available to watch on NBA TV.
Donovan Clingan propelled up the NBA draft board after strong performances in the NCAA Tournament for UConn
Coming out of high school, Donovan Clingan had plenty of Division I offers but chose to stay in his home state of Connecticut. The lanky center was not a starter in his freshman year, but gradually worked his way into the starting five in his sophomore season.
Under the guidance of Huskies coach Dan Hurley, Clingan developed into one of the most dominant centers in the NCAA. Hurley's UConn won back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, a feat that has not been achieved since the University of Florida won consecutive titles in 2006 and 2007.
Clingan's strong outings in the 2024 NCAA Tournament propelled him up the draft board. He finished the year averaging 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks over 35 games for Connecticut.
In UConn's 75-60 national championship win over Purdue, he had 11 points, five rebounds, a block and an assist.