Donovan Clingan Bio
Donovan John Clingan (born February 23, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing at 7 feet 2 inches tall, he plays the center position and was selected seventh overall in the 2024 NBA Draft after a standout college career with the UConn Huskies. At UConn, he won back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as one of the most decorated young big men in recent college basketball history.
Born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut, Clingan developed into a dominant interior presence during his high school years before committing to UConn. His combination of size, shot-blocking ability, and rebounding quickly translated to the professional level, where he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Donovan John Clingan was born on February 23, 2004, in Bristol, Connecticut. He is the son of Bill Clingan and Stacey Porrini Clingan. He has one younger sister, Olivia. Clingan’s mother, Stacey Clingan, also played basketball at Bristol Central, where she set school records for career rebounds and blocks before playing college basketball at the University of Maine.
Tragedy struck the family in March 2018, when Stacey Clingan died of breast cancer. Throughout his career, Donovan honored his mother’s memory by wearing number 32 at both Bristol Central and UConn, the same number his mother had worn. The number was later retired by the Portland Trail Blazers in honor of Hall of Famer Bill Walton, prompting Clingan to select 23 as his professional jersey number.
Clingan attended Bristol Central High School, where he quickly became one of the most dominant high school players in Connecticut. He led the boys basketball team to a 2022 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Division II state championship. During his junior season, he averaged 27.3 points, 17.2 rebounds, and 5.8 blocks per game and was named the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year. He repeated the honor as a senior after averaging 30.3 points, 18.4 rebounds, and 6.2 blocks per game.
Path to Basketball
On July 2, 2021, Clingan committed to playing college basketball at UConn, choosing the Huskies over offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Georgetown, Syracuse, Providence, and Rutgers. His decision was influenced by UConn’s tradition of developing elite big men and its strong coaching staff. Throughout his recruitment, he was widely regarded as one of the top center prospects in his class.
At Bristol Central, Clingan developed close friendships with teammates who shared his competitive drive. Among them was Victor Rosa, who served as Clingan’s point guard in high school and went on to become a record-breaking football player for the UConn Huskies football team. Their partnership on the basketball court helped lay the foundation for Clingan’s success as a passer out of the post.
Donovan Clingan Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Clingan entered his freshman season at UConn as the Huskies’ backup center behind Adama Sanogo. Despite his reserve role, he provided valuable interior defense and rim protection. At the end of the regular season, he was named to the Big East Conference All-Freshman team, signaling his rapid development.
In the 2023 NCAA national championship game, Clingan scored four points with three rebounds, one block, and two steals as the Huskies defeated their opponents 76–59 to claim the national title. Although he was widely projected as a likely first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Clingan opted to return to UConn for his sophomore season to continue refining his game.
UConn Huskies Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Clingan entered his sophomore year as UConn’s starting center and quickly became a central figure in the Huskies’ title defense. On December 20, 2023, he suffered a foot injury during a game against Seton Hall, temporarily sidelining him. He returned to action on January 17, 2024, scoring six points and grabbing five rebounds in 16 minutes during a 62–48 win over eighteenth-ranked Creighton.
As a sophomore, Clingan earned AP Honorable Mention All-American recognition while anchoring UConn’s defense. His post presence, rebounding, and shot-blocking were instrumental as the Huskies captured their second consecutive NCAA national championship in 2024. On April 12, 2024, Clingan declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2024–Present)
Clingan was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Draft. Because his college number 32 had been retired by the franchise in honor of Bill Walton, he chose 23 as his professional jersey number. On July 4, 2024, he signed his rookie contract with the team.
Clingan made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, in a 140–104 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Throughout his rookie campaign, he showcased his interior defense, rebounding, and developing offensive game. His performance during the season earned him a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2025, confirming his status as a foundational piece of Portland’s rebuilding roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 7 feet 2 inches and 127 kilograms, Clingan combines rare size with mobility uncommon for traditional centers. His strengths include rim protection, rebounding on both ends of the floor, and passing vision out of the post. Coaches have noted his ability to alter shots at the rim and his growing comfort stepping out to face-up opportunities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Clingan’s most significant milestones are his two consecutive NCAA national championships in 2023 and 2024, his seventh overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, and his selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2025. His decision to wear number 23 professionally, in tribute to his mother who wore number 32, has also become a defining personal narrative.
Donovan Clingan Career Wins
Donovan Clingan’s career is highlighted by championship success at both the collegiate and professional levels. His back-to-back NCAA titles with UConn stand as the centerpiece of his early resume, followed by his recognition as one of the top rookies in the NBA during the 2024–2025 season.
NCAA Highlights
Clingan won two consecutive NCAA national championships with the UConn Huskies in 2023 and 2024. As a freshman, he contributed four points, three rebounds, a block, and two steals in the 2023 title game. As a sophomore starter, he was a key defensive anchor in UConn’s repeat championship run and earned AP Honorable Mention All-American honors.
Other Performances
At Bristol Central High School, Clingan led his team to a 2022 CIAC Division II state championship. He was also named the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year in both his junior and senior seasons, underscoring his dominance at the high school level before his transition to college basketball.
Donovan Clingan Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Donovan Clingan is the son of Bill Clingan and Stacey Porrini Clingan. His mother, Stacey, played basketball at Bristol Central and set school records for career rebounds and blocks before continuing her career at the University of Maine. She passed away from breast cancer in March 2018, leaving a lasting influence on Donovan’s approach to the game. He has one younger sister, Olivia.
Personal Life
Clingan maintains a close relationship with his father, Bill, and his sister, Olivia. Throughout his career, he has honored his mother’s basketball legacy by wearing her number 32 at Bristol Central and UConn. He grew up alongside close friend Victor Rosa, who served as his high school point guard and later starred for the UConn Huskies football team.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–2025 NBA season, Donovan Clingan established himself as a core member of the Portland Trail Blazers’ young core. His size and rim protection gave Portland a defensive anchor in the paint, and he steadily improved his offensive footprint as the season progressed. His selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2025 validated his first-year contributions.
As the Trail Blazers continue their rebuilding process, Clingan is expected to play a central role in defining the team’s identity around the basket. His combination of size, rebounding, and developing post skills positions him as a long-term building block for the franchise.
Looking ahead, Clingan’s continued development will be a focal point for Portland’s coaching staff. With another offseason of training ahead, he is poised to expand his offensive range and defensive versatility, reinforcing his status as one of the most promising young centers in the league.