Top 3 Donovan Clingan replacements for UConn's Dan Hurley for the 2024-25 season

The UConn Huskies prepare for a new season without its reliable center, Donovan Clingan. The sophomore declared for the 2024 NBA draft, forgoing his college eligibility. Clingan, Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, Alex Karaban and Stephon Castle are the other UConn stars joining Clingan in the draft.

UConn coach Dan Hurley has already made moves to replace the roster spots with new talent from the transfer portal and the 2024 recruiting class. Here are a few options for a new center.

Top 3 Donovan Clingan replacements for UConn's Dan Hurley for the 2024-25 season

Current Roster

#1. Samson Johnson

Samson Johnson is the most probable replacement for Donovan Clingan. He spent the 2023-24 season coming off the bench, taking over for Clingan every time he stepped out.

"It's nice, knowing that you can come off the floor, get a breather and not have to worry about anything," Clingan said in March (via CT Insider). "Samson's one heck of a player. He gives the other team a whole different look, the way he hedges ball screens, the way he rolls."

In his junior season, Johnson averaged 5.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 16.1 minutes. Besides his defensive strengths, Samson has a decent shooting range of 72.5% from the floor and 43.2% from the free-throw line.

#2. Youssouf Singare

The only other center on the UConn roster, Youssouf Singare, saw few minutes in his freshman season. In an average of 2.0 minutes, Singare had 0.2 ppg and 0.6 rpg, shooting 33.3% from the field. The center has just two scoring games against DePaul and St. John's, where he finished with two points in both.

Singare is described as an athletic, rangy and defensive-minded center. Before UConn, he played for the Falcons OTE in the Overtime Elite, where he averaged 11.6 ppg, 10.9 rpg and 1.6 apg in 17 games. Singare was ranked a top-20 center by the 247 Composite rankings.

With increased minutes, it is possible for Youssouf Singare to replace Clingan.

Incoming Freshman

#1. Liam McNeeley

While Liam McNeeley may not have the same upside (6-foot-8) as Donovan Clingan (7-foot-2), he could grow into the role while playing his usual position (wing). He committed to UConn in April after previously committing to Indiana.

In his senior year at Montverde Academy, McNeeley averaged 12.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.8 apg, shooting 44% of his 3-point attempts. Apart from his shooting, Liam McNeeley is also an instinctive defender, covering both ends of the court.

While he may not be the immediate replacement for Donovan Clingan, McNeeley is a work in progress.

Who do you think is a good replacement for Donovan Clingan? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.