Donovan Clingan did what was expected on Friday. He decided to pursue his dream and declare for the NBA Draft.
When you’re going to be a lottery pick, it’s the right decision to make, at least in my opinion. Clingan gave so much in his two seasons with UConn men’s basketball, and before that as a humble superstar at Bristol Central.
Here’s what Clingan wrote on Instagram:
UConn Nation,
First and foremost, BACK TO BACK National Championships is legendary! These past two years have exceeded all my dreams and expectations. I will be forever grateful for the memories created with all my brothers, and I’ll cherish every moment forever!
I’d like to thank my dad, my sister, my grandma, Maddie and the rest of my family and close friends for supporting and guiding me through my journey and pushing me to be my best. To Coach Hurley, Coach Kimani, Coach Murray, and Coach Moore, thank you for believing in the kid from Connecticut and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. You have all changed my life and I’ll be forever grateful for the impact you’ve had on me. I love you guys.
To my Mom, my biggest inspiration, I’ll continue to work my hardest to make you proud!
To HUSKY NATION, thank you for your unbelievable support to the team and me this past two years. You have been our biggest supporters and gave the team and me the confidence and motivation to go out there everyday and win.
With that being said, I’ll be pursuing the lifelong dream of mine to play in the NBA and will be entering my name in the 2024 NBA Draft!! It will be very hard to leave my brothers after all the success these past two years, but the time is NOW!!
All love Husky nation,
#32 out
The UConn men’s basketball X account put it simply on Friday:
“Thank you, Donovan 🙌”
Head coach Dan Hurley posted this in X on Saturday morning:
“Salute to One of the Greatest Huskies of All Time!! He delivered in every possible way for the State and Program that he loves!! Special human being!! Legendary!!@clingan_donovan”
Clingan responded with: “All love coach! You changed my life forever💙”
The NBA Draft begins on Wednesday, June 26, and continues on Thursday, June 27. First round picks will be aired on ESPN and ABC, and second round picks will be aired on ESPN. Fittingly for Clingan, the draft is being held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where UConn’s run to a second straight national championship began with wins over Stetson and Northwestern.
Bleacher Report has projected Clingan to the Toronto Raptors with the sixth pick, right behind teammate Stephon Castle, headed to the Portland Trail Blazers with the fifth pick.
Caption: Donovan Clingan has come a long way since he played in the JCC Schoolboy/Schoolgirl All-Star Classic at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull in 2022. In two and a half months, Clingan will be an NBA draft pick, and a high one at that. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
