Two-Time NCAA Champion Donovan Clingan Drafted With No. 7 Pick by Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have selected University of Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

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Clingan joins a rebuilding Portland squad looking to improve on its miserable 21-61 finish in 2023-24.

Head coach Dan Hurley promoted the 7-foot-2 big man to a full-time starting role in 2023-24, after he spent his freshman season as a backup behind current Chicago Bulls big man Adama Sanogo, the NCAA All-Tourney Most Outstanding Player on the 2022-23 title team. For his efforts, Clingan was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team during that debut season.

Last year, his first as a full-time starter, Clingan averaged 13 points on 63.9 percent shooting from the floor and 58.3 percent shooting from the charity stripe, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 blocks per game across 35 contests.

Maximum-salaried 6-foot-10 big man Deandre Ayton, the former 2018 No. 1 draft pick, is currently installed as the team's starting center. Clingan will probably begin his NBA career competing for backup minutes with Duop Reath and potentially former All-Defensive Teamer Robert Williams III.

Earlier on Wednesday, Williams' former Boston Celtics teammate Malcolm Brogdon saw himself flipped from the Trail Blazers to the Washington Wizards in a salary dump move. Williams is currently owed two seasons and $25.7 million on the four-year, $48 million contract he initially inked with Boston. As Portland continues trying to cut costs, it seems likely the club may keep shedding veteran salaries. Ayton, meanwhile, is still owed $69.6 million over the next two seasons with the Trail Blazers, and still has intriguing two-way upside, having been a solid starting center for an NBA Finals team with the 2021 Phoenix Suns.

It might behoove Portland to opt for a full youth movement and look to flip both Ayton and Williams this summer, which could clear a path for Clingan to start instantly.

Clingan's championship-winning UConn teammate, Big East Freshman of the Year point guard Stephon Castle, preceded him in the lottery. The 6-foot-6 defense-first talent was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 4 pick. Clingan, too, is considered an elite defender, specifically as a shot blocker.

Portland's decision to move on from Brogdon's contract signifies that the team is slated to position itself for the 2025 NBA Draft, which is set to be far more talent-dense than this year's vintage. Clingan, still just 20 years old, may need a few seasons to marinate before he becomes a high-level starter. But it sure seems like the Trail Blazers are taking their sweet time to grow a youth movement.