Donovan Clingan sought after to contend for a three-peat, however Dan Hurley was once having none of it.
The previous UConn celebrity helped the Huskies to a 2nd instantly nationwide championship previous this moment.
For a 2nd instantly moment, the Huskies received each event sport through double-digits and received their 6th name at school historical past.
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UConn head lecturer Dan Hurley celebrates with heart Donovan Clingan, left, then defeating Illinois in an Elite 8 sport within the NCAA Match March 30, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photograph/Michael Dwyer)
The weighty guy cemented himself as now not only a lottery select, however a top-10 variety within the draft together with his efficiency within the event, averaging 15.3 issues and eight.3 rebounds in step with sport.
Clingan spent two seasons at UConn, and he was once on the lookout for a 3rd name.
However Hurley knocked some sense into him.
“I went into Coach Hurley’s office, and I was like, ‘Yo coach, I’ll come back. I’ll go for another one.’ He’s like ‘You’re out of your mind, bro. Get the hell out of here.’ And I guess I had to go,” Clingan instructed the “Knuckleheads Podcast,” hosted through ex-NBA gamers Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles.
Donovan Clingan of the Connecticut Huskies reacts in the second one part in opposition to the Purdue Boilermakers right through the nationwide championship sport at Shape Farm Stadium April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (Christian Petersen/Getty Photographs)
“It was probably like four days after we had won the title, but you know I was sad. I didn’t want to leave that place. I love UConn, Coach Hurley, the staff, the people around me and my teammates. Every time I walk in that building, it’s home. I went back twice last week, and I still feel like I’m part of the team.”
Clingan went 7th to the Portland Path Blazers Thursday night time. The 7-foot-2 shot-altering stud averaged 13 issues, 7.4 rebounds and a pair of.5 blocks in step with sport ultimate season for the Huskies, increasing his offensive talents to enrich his dominant protection.
He’s going to now proportion a frontcourt with Deandre Ayton and Jerami Provide, in conjunction with ultimate moment’s 2nd general select, Scoot Henderson.
Donovan Clingan smiles then being drafted 7th general through the Portland Path Blazers right through the 2024 NBA Draft June 26, 2024, at Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Evan Yu/NBAE by means of Getty Photographs)
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Portland completed ultimate within the Western Convention ultimate moment at 21-61 then official separation tactics with Damian Lillard.
The Related Press contributed to this file.
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