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Projected top-three pick Donovan Clingan honored his late mother as he prepares for the 2024 NBA draft. The center showed love to his mother with his custom-made outfit.
Clingan prepared an all-black tuxedo with a special imprint inside. The inside of his coat featured a series of photos from his life all stitched together. The collage of images is a tribute to those who have inspired him to make his dreams come true.
"It's me and my family," Clingan told a reporter. "That's everyone. Means a lot to me, special photos, for sure.
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"I was talking to my stylist. Just wanted to do something, inspire my family, my friends, everyone that's helped me get to this point. Especially my mom, someone who I lost in 8th grade."
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His mother, Stacey, died at 42 in March 2018 after her long battle against breast cancer. She had inspired him to pursue basketball.
Just like the UConn player, Stacey was also a basketball player. She played at Bristol Central High and the University of Maine. Due to her excellence on the court, she was inducted into her school's Hall of Fame.
Donovan Clingan on the chance to play with All-Star point guard
Most mock drafts have mentioned Alex Sarr as the potential top pick of this year's draft. However, Donovan Clingan could be selected by the Atlanta Hawks with their top pick.
Clingan had a workout with the Hawks, indicating that he might play alongside Trae Young. When asked about the possibility of playing alongside an established star, the prospect said:
"I think it’d be a great connection, something that could work out really well. We’d be able to space the floor in the ball screen game defensively and offensively. I just feel like it’d be a very special connection, for sure."
But even if he doesn't get selected by the Hawks, Clingan said that he's ready for anything. Aside from the Atlanta team, the big man worked out with the San Antonio Spurs. There's a chance that the Spurs select him and form a tough interior duo with him and Victor Wembanyama.
