Donovan Clingan

[Icehawk]

There was a play later in the game where he was near the top of the key to the side, he spins to break past his defender, get passed the ball, and jams it. I was like look how fast and agile this dude is for his size, I don't want to jinx the guy but I think we are looking at a future great.

I agree with Walton (oy), I think part of it is he's been this tall for a while and is comfortable in himself - he's not all gangly and awkward looking. He knows how to use that size too, I love how good he is at positioning and boxing out.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Dana Altman is a shoe in for the basketball hall of fame….LOL.

He also said Bobby Hurley (Jr) should be in the Hall of Fame..... For what exactly? Being a good college player at Duke doesn't make you a Basketball Hall of Famer.

 

[superjohn]

"You've seen him play before?" -Roxy

"No, but he moves, he thinks, he reacts, he's light on his feet, and he's huge, he makes Kel'el Ware look like a normal size player."

Bill Walton talking about Clingan, while Clingan was on the court with #7 recruit in the country Kel'el Ware.

 

[husky429]

"You've seen him play before?" -Roxy

"No, but he moves, he thinks, he reacts, he's light on his feet, and he's huge, he makes Kel'el Ware look like a normal size player."

Bill Walton talking about Clingan, while Clingan was on the court with #7 recruit in the country Kel'el Ware.

Ware looked better, but not by much. Donovan was better blocking shots and generally on defense. Ware is noticably more athletic and hit those 3s. In a year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Donovan a better player. His improvement curve has been steep. 3 didn't look terrible either. I could see him taking a couple attempts per game next year kind of like Sanogo is now.

 

[Dove]

I will not apologize for posting this...

"You can't win a thing, if you ain't got a Cling..."

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Donovan has absolutely blown away my expectations in terms of where I thought he'd be at at this point in his young career. I like Walton as a person, I hate him calling games, but it was fun to hear how genuinely excited he was about Donovan's potential.

 

[BGesus4]

I’m not sure this gif has ever been more spot on than seeing what he was able to do against those bigs

 

[bigknight3]

They were both on the floor at one time early in the game. We weren't hitting the early threes and Oregon had a load of bigs in the game. It was only a short time but I think it planted a seed in Dana Altman's head. If I remember correctly, they started hitting a waterfall of threes after that. Clingan as a better passer and (taller than Adama) was better able to distribute out. They packed it in and dared us to take threes. What a nightmare for Altman. He must have congratulated himself when Hawk missed a few threes in the beginning; that is until the waterfall started the dam broke Ha Ha Ha!

FIFY

 

[uconnfan68]

Donovan has absolutely blown away my expectations in terms of where I thought he'd be at at this point in his young career. I like Walton as a person, I hate him calling games, but it was fun to hear how genuinely excited he was about Donovan's potential.

And even Bill said DC was a BIG human being.

 

[Waquoit]

That might be biggest takeaway.
First time in the lights and the moment wasn't bigger than him.

He was just out there playing his game.

 

[Scrutineer]

In the second half it felt like Dan Hurley was playing Clingan as the starter and bringing Sanogo off the bench.

I think that happened because of Adama's third foul but the team didn't seem to miss a beat when AS was out.

 

[JonnyRI]

I think that happened because of Adama's third foul but the team didn't seem to miss a beat when AS was out.

That’s correct. Picked up his 3rd ten seconds into half.

But it’s just awesome knowing there is very minimal drop off in center play when Sanogo has to sit for extended minutes. Been a looooong time since we were this good and deep at the 5 (more than a decade?).

 

[HailUConn]

That’s correct. Picked up his 3rd ten seconds into half.

But it’s just awesome knowing there is very minimal drop off in center play when Sanogo has to sit for extended minutes. Been a looooong time since we were this good and deep at the 5 (more than a decade?).

Close, since Meka, Boone and Hilton.

 

[husky429]

Currently averaging more blocks per game than any freshman in the country.

Also less minutes per game than anyone above him. Everyone else is 22mpg or more except for our old friend Dylan Cardwell. Donovan is at 16mpg.

Wild that a kid went from the CIAC to this level of production in just 4 or 5 months of practicing with the team. He has really put in the work to keep improving. I think Tom is coaching the bigs right now? He deserves a lot of credit to help Donovan prepare himself.

 

[Scrutineer]

DC is proving a lot of posters wrong.

It's early and there's still lots of tough opponents to play, but what's not to like about DC six games into his freshman year?

OK, FT's, defending quick guards who drive on him and the 3 point attempt last night, but what else?

He's proven he's not someone we need to hide and play limited minutes. Loved his comment about playing a big guy every day in practice and how well he handled himself against a lineup of legitimate big men last night.

He's a worker, shows real maturity, has ability and agility, has great hands, knows when to move to the basket when a guard is driving into the lane, is ready for the passes he's receiving and seems to have dunked every opportunity, gets good position for rebounds and passes like a veteran. He needs to improve his FT shooting, his non-dunk post moves, and better defend guards driving around him, but how much can we expect from an 18 year old freshmen?

 

[husky429]

DC is proving a lot of posters wrong.

It's early and there's still lots of tough opponents to play, but what's not to like about DC six games into his freshman year?

OK, FT's, defending quick guards who drive on him and the 3 point attempt last night, but what else?

He's proven he's not someone we need to hide and play limited minutes. Loved his comment about playing a big guy every day in practice and how well he handled himself against a lineup of legitimate big men last night.

He's a worker, shows real maturity, has ability and agility, has great hands, knows when to move to the basket when a guard is driving into the lane, is ready for the passes he's receiving and seems to have dunked every opportunity, gets good position for rebounds and passes like a veteran. He needs to improve his FT shooting, his non-dunk post moves, and better defend guards driving around him, but how much can we expect from an 18 year old freshmen?

Hurley has talked about what he needs to improve: pick and roll defense. He gets caught in no man's land on occasion. I think improving his hands and a jump hook/up and under woth each hand would help too, though I'm not generally a fan of old school post play.

He's adjusting faster than most. I expected him to need more transition time passing the rock and developing his shotblocking to avoid fouls. He learned fast.

 

[Sole]

When we recruited Javonte Brown i use to watch his games on u-tube… he didn’t look good at all….I thought the team played better when he was on the bench…then I watched DC… he was by far the best player in every game I watched… im glad Brown transferred out…not sure if DC would have came to Uconn if Brown was here

 

[runner11]

He actually plays his size. I am impressed that he keeps the ball up high and doesn’t panic.

 

[bigknight3]

DC is proving a lot of posters wrong.

It's early and there's still lots of tough opponents to play, but what's not to like about DC six games into his freshman year?

OK, FT's, defending quick guards who drive on him and the 3 point attempt last night, but what else?

He's proven he's not someone we need to hide and play limited minutes. Loved his comment about playing a big guy every day in practice and how well he handled himself against a lineup of legitimate big men last night.

He's a worker, shows real maturity, has ability and agility, has great hands, knows when to move to the basket when a guard is driving into the lane, is ready for the passes he's receiving and seems to have dunked every opportunity, gets good position for rebounds and passes like a veteran. He needs to improve his FT shooting, his non-dunk post moves, and better defend guards driving around him, but how much can we expect from an 18 year old freshmen?

There was nothing wrong with his 3pt attempt last night...

 

[auror]

Currently averaging more blocks per game than any freshman in the country.

Also less minutes per game than anyone above him. Everyone else is 22mpg or more except for our old friend Dylan Cardwell. Donovan is at 16mpg.

Wild that a kid went from the CIAC to this level of production in just 4 or 5 months of practicing with the team. He has really put in the work to keep improving. I think Tom is coaching the bigs right now? He deserves a lot of credit to help Donovan prepare himself.

Yeah block rate is the stat that bridges the gap with minutes. DC is 2nd in the country. Only Sharp above him, the 7'5" guy from Western Kentucky.

 

[auror]

There was nothing wrong with his 3pt attempt last night...

I mean it hit the backboard first and was a foot to the left. But the form looked good and he was open.

 

[Wolf]

At 7’2” and age 18, to hear Walton rave about him has got to be a good sign.

 

[bigknight3]

I mean it hit the backboard first and was a foot to the left. But the form looked good and he was open.

Nothing wrong with the attempt (in the flow of the offense), execution left a little to be desired, I guess... Lol

 

[Waquoit]

I think every player should be able to make an uncontested 3 from the top of the arc. It's an easy shot and pays 3 points.

 

[MTBingNinja]

Those Ducks had some length. DC played well against them. Great game for his psyche moving forward, he knows now that he can hang with the big boys. I loved the second half, DC seemed to stay in the game for a prolonged period of time even with Sanogo’s three fouls where Hurley saw no need to rush Sanogo back in. Respectfully, team was running on all cylinders with DC in there.

 

[glastonbury50]

Not worried at all about DC's foul shooting either. His stroke actually looks great for a dude his size. Those will start to fall. I'd worry more about someone who has terrible form.

 

[ToolzieFan]

 

[JustbrewitMan]

There was nothing wrong with his 3pt attempt last night...

Yes, anyone who has been to a game in-person this year and witnessed Donovan shooting 3s in warmups would have no issue with him taking a 3 during a game. He has a really nice looking shot and hits 50%+ of them in the sample size of about 50 shots that I’ve seen.

It definitely will be a real part of his game as he progresses (not just a garbage-time thing)

 

[DisabledVet]

Until late in last night’s game the team performed better with Donovan on the court. I am enjoying this year but cannot stop thinking of whats coming next year to work with him.

 

[Dove]

How close was Donovan going to Michigan?