Bilas: "I think there's a very good chance Donovan Clingan comes back."

[Rico444]

The guy is 7’2”.

He can develop everything else he needs elsewhere. People need to let kids go and stop hoping kids stay around for a threepeat. He already got you 2.

I believe the best move for Donovan is to declare for the draft, but I don't get to tell him what to do. Nobody on this board does (unless Bill has an account here, and even then it's ultimately Donovan's call). If he has an insurance policy and wants to spend one more year on campus, he's probably sacrificing some money, yeah, but he deserves to make that call for himself.

I just hope if he does tell Hurley he wants to come back that Danny goes over all of the risks involved with that decision. I have no doubt he will do that. And lastly, we're 2+ days removed from the national title game. I remember Andre in the locker room last year after the championship game saying he was coming back. Once the emotions of the title game fade a bit the decision gets a little tougher.

 

[cohenzone]

The way he talked about how hard it would be not seeing Newton, Spencer and the other graduating players around the locker room anymore... mentally, Clingan may not have shifted into the mindset that he's leaving yet. We'll see if that means anything. Most of us would advise him to leave and take the bag, but again, it's not our place to tell him how to live his life. If he maintains college eligibility, he's entitled to use it if he wants to. What's Hurley gonna do, kick him off the team? That wouldn't be fair. You'd be forcing Donovan to do what you would do in that situation, partly because you think it makes your program look more attractive to spit out lottery picks as soon as they're viable.

There's also a chance that he's unsure about his physical stamina right now. He did have that foot injury.

Maybe it’s more attractive to some high level recruits to see a sure lottery pick want to continue playing for that program. Yeah, most of us see the big bucks. but you are talking about 19 or 20 year olds who will not be living the easiest life either for most of the year as a pro.

 

[ninety-nine]

The comments in these threads are astonishing. Thank god Clingan doesn’t have advisors from the BY, he’d be turning down tens of millions at a minimum to come back for absolutely no reason.

I've seen one, maybe two people here say Clingan should stay at UConn because he's not ready for the NBA. Most of us think he should go pro, me included. But there are imaginable reasons why he might be wavering.

Every time someone shows the capacity to see a different point of view doesn't mean they're adopting that argument themselves. Basically, you're implying that anyone who says it's his decision to make is telling him to turn down the NBA contract in order to hang out at Ted's with his GF and Victor Rosa, laughing at how their feet are sticking to the floor.

 

[Vuce]

Clingan ain't coming back. I think Bilas is just talking - that said, I think DC is one of the rare kids who TRULY loves the college experience and would stay all 4 years if there wasnt so much $$ risk. The kid knows this could be the best time of his life right now. We are so lucky to have had him here for 2 years!

 

[FfldCntyFan]

DC's foot injury this past season should be the trump card to push him into the draft if he isn't fully leaning in that direction already.

 

[mussels]

I’m in the “he needs to go and will go” camp but as long as we’re engaging in unfounded speculation, I did note that at the post game interviews, Dan had Spencer, Castle and Newton with him. All guys that had just played their last game in a UConn uniform. Clingan was not there.

 

[SockCymbal]

I said this in the other thread, but I believe he meant to say Karaban.

 

[Deepster]

I don’t disagree with anything said so far here, in principle.

I did lose a parent in high school though. I commuted to CCSU instead of going to any other school I’d been accepted to so I could help at home. It wasn’t really that though, I wasn’t ready to move away myself.

Donny still gets his haircut in Bristol. He’s only 20. We can’t put ourselves in his head based off the obvious financial advantages right now. Maybe he isn’t at the point he can live alone in Sacramento.

 

[imno1]

Let me preface this by saying I think DC will declare for the draft but I would understand if he loves his current life and wants to chase the unimaginable, A 3 peat with his roommate Alex. He's still going to make a ton of money before he retires.

 

[TheHorde]

If he were to return, and that’s a big if…is there a non zero chance that a certain creepy baby loving 2024 recruit de commits to join DC? Time to spice things up in here lol.

 

[ninety-nine]

I don’t disagree with anything said so far here, in principle.

I did lose a parent in high school though. I commuted to CCSU instead of going to any other school I’d been accepted to so I could help at home. It wasn’t really that though, I wasn’t ready to move away myself.

Donny still gets his haircut in Bristol. He’s only 20. We can’t put ourselves in his head based off the obvious financial advantages right now. Maybe he isn’t at the point he can live alone in Sacramento.

Thank you for weighing in. Your perspective is valuable on this. Sorry you had to go through that.

 

[controlfade]

I would not be completely surprised if Clingan returned but obviously do not think he should for financial reasons.
I have always felt that playing for UCONN is this kids dream and he is just having too much fun.
In the era of NIL he’s gonna get paid whether he goes or not and believe NIL could actually start getting kids to stay in school for an extra year or 2

 

[ninety-nine]

The guy is 7’2”.

He can develop everything else he needs elsewhere. People need to let kids go and stop hoping kids stay around for a threepeat. He already got you 2.

Ugh, this comment bugs me. Everyone who says he might not be emotionally ready to handle the NBA isn't secretly hoping he stays just so we can win again. Maybe some of us are actually capable of empathy. I'd be fine if he stayed, chose not to play basketball for a year so his foot could heal more, and then entered the NBA draft. I'd bet it would be a bad financial decision, but I'd be fine with it. I want him to do what's right for him.

 

[cohenzone]

Let me preface this by saying I think DC will declare for the draft but I would understand if he loves his current life and wants to chase the unimaginable, A 3 peat with his roommate Alex. He's still going to make a ton of money before he retires.

The only reality for not staying is the risk of serious injury. These guys are not going to diminish their draft status and pay day by staying in college another year.

 

[Henry]

Given his history with foot injuries, he'd be much better off turning pro now than waiting another year and risking another injury that would make him less desirable to pro teams in 2025.

 

[RJScootin]

It's sad people feel every decision has to be about the most money. Guess Hurley should force himself to Kentucky.
Why can't Donovan stay in a college which he to loves and graduate? He's 20 making $800K a year (saw that somewhere) he's in a great spot, the NBA isn't going anywhere.

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

The only reality for not staying is the risk of serious injury. These guys are not going to diminish their draft status and pay day by staying in college another year.

I agree somewhat, but if hypothetically Clingan stays another year, he’s gonna need to start taking 3s. I think teams are drafting him with the potential that he can make 3s at least at a slightly below average rate for an NBA center. For a 3rd year in college and a year older, he’d need to start taking / making them.

Either way, I seriously doubt he’s coming back.

 

[PAHusky]

Guys, he's not coming back. He's a projected lottery pick in a very, very weak draft class. He has shown everything to NBA scouts he needs to. They don't care that he doesn't shoot 3's in games, they can fix that (or think they can based on his form, most likely). He's gone.

 

[husky99]

Love DC attitude. Could have started at 95% of schools last year. But picked uconn understanding he would not start. Help bring 2 titles and impacted just about every game this year. Go make a dump truck of money and surround yourself with smart people

 

[Hamms30]

Given his history with foot injuries, he'd be much better off turning pro now than waiting another year and risking another injury that would make him less desirable to pro teams in 2025.

Not for nothing.. but if I was in his camp, I'd have had an insurance policy for potentinal future earnings taken out in high school as soon as he committed for such a matter. I think he should go because he's ready and he's not really going to improve his draft stock any more than he already has by playing another year. But getting injured, while awful and would deprive him of getting to play professional sports.. I don't think loss of money from injury is as a big of a motivator people think it is. He may see what happened to Bouknight and want another year because the thinks he's not ready or mature enough. Who knows. All the staff and his family can do is give him the best information they can to make the best and most informed decision he can and then respect it.

That said.. I don't think he's coming back. If he does, great. If he doesn't, no surprise and hope he has a long, healthy and rich career. He's earned it.

 

[TheHorde]

Not for nothing.. but if I was in his camp, I'd have had an insurance policy for potentinal future earnings taken out in high school as soon as he committed for such a matter. I think he should go because he's ready and he's not really going to improve his draft stock any more than he already has by playing another year. But getting injured, while awful and would deprive him of getting to play professional sports.. I don't think loss of money from injury is as a big of a motivator people think it is. He may see what happened to Bouknight and want another year because the thinks he's not ready or mature enough. Who knows. All the staff and his family can do is give him the best information they can to make the best and most informed decision he can and then respect it.

That said.. I don't think he's coming back. If he does, great. If he doesn't, no surprise and hope he has a long, healthy and rich career. He's earned it.

Well said and agree with so much of this. But DC is infinitely more mature than Bouknight. If he fails as a pro, his maturity level, attitude, and professionalism won’t be the reason.

 

[BugsyCT]

I’d be shocked if Donovan stayed another year. Some draft projections I’ve seen have him as high as 3rd overall. How much more could he boost his stock by staying another year? Why risk injury?

Now is the time to go for him. He’s got his life, family & NBA future to consider.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

And I think both Hurley and his dad will likely give him that advice. I would give him that advice. But it's Donovan's life, and we don't know what he feels like he's ready for. I wasn't ready as a college sophomore to graduate and enter the working world. I needed all four years of my college time to mature enough (partly because I was a year younger than my grade-level peers). My college roommate paced himself to be on the five-year plan because he loved it so much. We both knew that once you enter the working world, that's it. It seems like it's different for that "gifted few," but the NBA is still the adult world. No one is holding your hand anymore, unless they're hoping to pry some dolla bills out of it.

I thought these things didnt happen in the USA. I came from abroad at an early age and as result was ahead 2yrs. 16yo college freshman .

I sure as heck took all my time in college. Got on a 5 year plan also. I definitely didnt have the mental maturity.

Its crazy how much difference a year or two make in our lives.

I hope whatever decision DC makes is the one that makes him most happy and comfortable

 

[Iluvsuebird]

It would be a disservice to Clingan to have him back for another year.

Tim Duncan, The Admiral, Karl Malone, among many of the big men STARS who played 4 years of college ball and went on to become HALL OF FAMERS. We love DC. He is a legend. Great kid. But the Purdue game showed he isn't ready to star in the NBA yet. If he leaves, he bags some money and then rides the bench for a good long while. Meanwhile, he stays, he bags some money, gets closer to a degree (and please, money does not replace the need for education), and gets better, so that when he leaves, he is a finished product. I am NOT thinking about UConn here. I am thinking about the kid. He is still gonna be 7'2" when he leaves. But that kid with an offensive arsenal????? Scary. Staying would make sense for him.

 

[ctbro1999]

I would not be completely surprised if Clingan returned but obviously do not think he should for financial reasons.
I have always felt that playing for UCONN is this kids dream and he is just having too much fun.
In the era of NIL he’s gonna get paid whether he goes or not and believe NIL could actually start getting kids to stay in school for an extra year or 2

He's definitely active in the NIL arena (Cling Kong brand, and I'm sure other deals as well). So if he did come back, it's not like he'd only be getting peanuts. But it just makes more sense for him to go pro this year as he's almost definitely a top 10 pick and possibly even top 3/5. Even if he came back next year and put up Edey-like #'s on offense, MAYBE he could improve his draft position a couple spots? But if he came back and injured his foot again, that would probably start to spook a lot of NBA teams.

 

[Poe]

He could be the next Tim Duncan, you never know. It would be highly unlikely he stays, but for some, money (or immediate money), is not the most important thing.

Maybe he wants to be the main guy on the team and perhaps the face of college basketball, maybe he and Alex want to try for a three-peat, maybe he wants to spend another year with his gf, maybe being “a kid” for another year is more valuable to him than a paycheck, maybe he loves his state and university so much he doesn’t want it to end just yet, etc.

Whatever his decision is no one should tell him it’s the wrong one.

 

[navery12]

If Dan Hurley really thought Donovan Clingan was staying we wouldn't be connected to every single top center that enters the portal

 

[ninety-nine]

I thought these things didnt happen in the USA. I came from abroad at an early age and as result was ahead 2yrs. 16yo college freshman .

When I was in kindergarten at the age of 5, I got pushed ahead into first grade mid-year because I was a little ahead of the other kids educationally (especially my reading/writing level). But that didn't change the fact that I was still five years old emotionally and physically, so I was always behind the kids in my class developmentally (aside from academics). That impacted me all the way through college, but was an especially big deal in middle school and high school. Being a year, sometimes two, younger than the kids in my grade meant it was hard to fit in. I couldn't relate to where they were at a lot of the time. I just felt way younger, and for a few years, smaller.

It also sucked not being able to legally drink until two weeks before my college graduation!

 

[FearThePups]

Stay or go? There are pros and cons to both sides. I found it interesting that Danny talked about a three peat a few days after we won. He knows more about what the players will do than anyone. Tristen and Stephon are gone. Maybe we can get Cam back. The wild cards are Don and Alex. If they return, I’m walking on sunshine.

 

[PAHusky]

Tim Duncan, The Admiral, Karl Malone, among many of the big men STARS who played 4 years of college ball and went on to become HALL OF FAMERS. We love DC. He is a legend. Great kid. But the Purdue game showed he isn't ready to star in the NBA yet. If he leaves, he bags some money and then rides the bench for a good long while. Meanwhile, he stays, he bags some money, gets closer to a degree (and please, money does not replace the need for education), and gets better, so that when he leaves, he is a finished product. I am NOT thinking about UConn here. I am thinking about the kid. He is still gonna be 7'2" when he leaves. But that kid with an offensive arsenal????? Scary. Staying would make sense for him.

No offense but couldn't disagree more with this take. The people you named came out for the draft decades ago when leaving early wasn't as prevalent. DC not going this year when he's an almost surefire lottery pick and doesn't have much room to improve his draft stock, in a historically weak draft class, would be insanity. He's not going to ride the pine in the NBA. He's more than ready to star there and he has all the mental and physical tools right now to do so, including a great offensive arsenal (thinking that he'd develop better in college than the pros offensively, especially his jumper, is also crazy - see Andre Jackson). Yes, education is important, but so is making $20 million guaranteed.

He's gone, as he 100% should be.