Blazers rookie and 2x NCAA champ Donovan Clingan on defending Nikola Jokić & Embiid, improving conditioning and more (EXCLUSIVE)

Depending on the game, Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan will showcase his dominance or reveal his learning curve.

In only his second career start, the Blazers’ No. 7 pick posted a double double in points (17) and rebounds (12) against Minnesota while tying for second place in the Blazers’ record books for most blocks as a rookie (eight). Before and after missing seven games with a sprained left knee (Nov. 25 – Dec. 8), however, Clingan experienced learning curves the NBA’s increased physicality and versatility compared to his two national championship seasons with Connecticut (2023, 2024).

“He’s playing against players that are better than players he’s ever seen every single night, to be honest with you,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “So the mobility of some of these guys and the versatility of some of these guys have been tough for him.”

Nonetheless, the Blazers (11-22) enter Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks (17-15) with Clingan representing one of the team’s relative success stories.

Among his rookie class, Clingan ranks second in blocks (1.6 per game), third in field-goal percentage (52.7%) and fourth in rebounds (6.0 per game) in only 15.9 minutes per game mostly as a reserve. In seven games as a starter, Clingan has nearly averaged a double-double in points (8.0 per game) and rebounds (10.0 per game).

“I got to do a better job and we got to do a better job on how we kind of use him,” Billups said. “But at the moment, you have to get him out there and get the experience of it and learn it because he’s going to have to see it forever. He’s had some games where he’s been really good at it and then sometimes he really struggles at it, which is obviously understandable.”

Clingan spoke to Sportskeeda about his rookie season so far, how he managed his injury and what he has learned playing against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.

How do you think your rookie season has gone so far?

Clingan: “I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and as best I can. Obviously, there’s the pace of the NBA and the speed and physicality. That’s something that I’m still getting used to. But I’m really just working to be in the best shape possible to be able to withhold long sprints. I’m also learning how much of an impact I can make with the ball-screen game and protecting the rim at a high level. I’m really trying to learn and having an impact.”

What have you learned with trying to adapt to the pace of the game?

Clingan: “It’s fast. Shots are up within six to eight seconds off the shot clock. You sprint from one end and you got to turn around and get back to the other. So really you just stay in shape to able to pick up with the pace. I put in a couple of minutes of extra conditioning after games as well as before and after practice. It’s really whenever I can. I try to get my heart rate up and build up a sweat and push through. During pre-draft and after every workout, I was working on sprints up and down. I would do a couple three-minute runs. Just trying to stay in shape.”

Have you felt you hit the rookie wall at any point yet?

Clingan: “I feel like a little bit. Recently, it was a little bit. But I’m working to learn to get myself out. I feel like when I came back from injury a little bit, I wasn’t really the player that I always had been. So that was one of the biggest moments that I realized it. Before I got hurt, I was in a good groove and playing well. I was very confident out there. But when I came back, it was a little slow and a little hesitant. But now I’m finding it. I’m really trying to get my confidence back.”

Chauncey talked about the challenges you’re facing with guarding both traditional and mobile bigs. How have you managed that?

Clingan: “I’m just trying to learn what everyone does differently. Obviously, everyone is different and every big is different. So I’m just picking things that I can learn to try to stop them being so impactful. The physicality is the No. 1 thing. Just be physical with all of these bigs. Be physical and don’t let them get to your spots. Traditional fives are more physical. Stretch fives can shoot.”

Which matchups stuck with you the most so far?

Clingan: “I learned a lot from [Nikola] Jokić and [Joel] Embiid. I’m trying to learn from everybody and take what I can from everyone’s game. It’s their patience and how they use their body to create space. They do all the little things that help the team win. They’re talking. They’re making the right pass at the right time. They’re screening. They’re protecting the rim. They do everything that they can.”

What is it like to play with Chauncey considering his playing credentials as a Hall-of-Famer?

Clingan: “He’s a players’ coach that really understands the game. You like to play for someone that’s smart and as elite as him. He talks about the physicality and has a strong understanding of the game. He’s always putting us in good positions.”

Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.