Just a couple points.
Give me a big that holds position, rebounds, passes, sets screens, and makes free throws. We won a National Championship with Voskuhl just playing to strengths that complimented team play with other athletes.
With years to improve, Clingan's highlights show he can make moves and finish around the basket, he can make an occasional 3, and he can pass. We aren't evaluating a finished product, so I'll take what he can do now is a great starting point in my view.
Clingan has said when he was 6'7 to 6'8 he was an 80% foul shooter. He takes pride at the line in respect to his mother who stressed foul shooting. With his last growth spirt his release point changed and he is trying and will find his way back to high FT %. He hates missing free throws and will get to the line a bunch.
Belittling being the best player in the CIAC is looking to find fault. In Pittsburgh with a huge number of other top highly ranked prospects, he was MVP of the whole deal. Why shouldn't that accolade stand for potential. He might not be as dominate vs certain team matchups and styles, but being MVP from the center position vs all other bigs, and all the top guards with the ball in their hands, is an actual accomplishment that says potential, not redshirt.
As a teammate others will get open when he is double teamed and Clingan will find them cutting or spotting up.
The downside initially will be getting 2 quick fouls because of contact with small guys bouncing off him, and, because he likely will reach when quicker guys are near him. Sanogo couldn't stay in the game early in the season, and that will be true until Clingan develops. Hurley will have to keep him in the paint defensively which is contrary to Hurley's DNA. An off the ball rim protector like Akok is something that Clingan will suffer early on until his game grows.
My views are somewhat shaped by other players like Hunter Dickenson, Big Country, Pittsnogle, Azebuke, The Morris Mountain, etc. There is no reason to believe that he will not be as impactful in his own mix of ways. All these guys had some shortcomings that needed to be overcome by coaching schemes, and, strengths to be exploited. I do expect a rough start until conditioning is top notch, fouling is controlled, and he learns how to deal with the speed and leaping ability of other 6'10 and taller rim protectors.
I should also say at Hoophall I watched guard Doron Lamb prevent top rated Ohio State/NBA bound Jared Sullinger from scoring even 1 basket in a whole game. He got 1 point from the line in the last minute of the game but couldn't deal with the quick hands and quickness of a smaller player. It happens to good players.
Now it will be up to the staff to make him the best Donovan Clingan he can be.
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