Watch: Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan embraces his inner Swiftie by singing Taylor Swift at Blazers Fan Fest game
Hazing first-year players is an NBA tradition, and the Portland Trail Blazers' rookie Donovan Clingan got a taste of it during the team's Fan Fest. Clingan was made to give a rousing rendition of Taylor Swift's 2008 hit You Belong With Me on the court while fans and his teammates cheered him on.
To his credit, Clingan put a lot of effort into his performance. He sang his heart out while walking around the court and encouraging fans to join in. By the time he got to the chorus, his infectious energy got through to even the veterans, including center DeAndre Ayton, who could be seen singing and jumping along.
Rookies being made to perform a little song and dance for the fans as part of their hazing isn't uncommon. In fact, last season, Scoot Henderson was also subjected to the same kind of treatment but his was a performance of a Mary J. Blige hit.
Players have often talked about the different forms of hazing they go through in their rookie year and not all of them require putting on performances. Some first-year players are asked to run errands for veterans such as carrying their things or delivering items to their hotel rooms.
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Donovan Clingan talks about where he fits in the Trail Blazers big man rotation
The Portland Trail Blazers have great depth at the center position with DeAndre Ayton and Robert Williams III on the roster. Aside from them, 6-foot-11 center Duop Reath is also in the lineup.
This makes Donovan Clingan, who stands at 7-foot-2, the fourth center on the team. He will need to fight for his minutes but he is confident that he can positively impact the team when they need him.
While speaking to the media during the Trail Blazers' media day, he shared his insight on how he fits into the rotation at center.
"I really just wanna go in there, when DA, Rob, whoever needs a break, just really going in there and having no fall off." Donovan Clingan said. "Just go in there with a lot of energy, just go in there to compete, go in there to play hard. Defend at a high level, protect the rim at a high level, rebound at a high level, and you know just use my passing ability to my advantage."
He added:
"Just get my teammates open shots, roll to the rim when I have to and you know just really doing whatever I have to to help my team win." [4:06-4:36]
Donovan Clingan had a solid collegiate career at UConn. In two seasons, he averaged 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, one assist, and 2.1 blocks. His performance in college led to him being selected by the Trail Blazers with the seventh overall in the last draft.
However, he is now playing behind a double-double machine in DeAndre Ayton who has averaged 16.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in his first six seasons in the NBA. There's also Robert Williams III, who isn't quite as talented offensively as Ayton but is a capable rebounder and shot-blocker.
Donovan Clingan will have to prove himself to get more minutes, but at this stage, he is enthusiastic to learn and give what the team needs from him.