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The Portland Trail Blazers selected two-time NCAA champion Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 NBA draft on Wednesday. In his press conference after the big night, Clingan praised UConn and coach Dan Hurley, labeling the latter as the best program coach in college basketball.
When asked about his playing career at UConn after being drafted as a top 10 pick, Clingan said:
"Yeah, I mean, it just shows that we're the best. We were the best program in college basketball, and they still are right now. You know, coach Hurley is the best coach in college basketball, and he's producing players at a high level every single year.
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"I'm not sure the exact number now with how many drafts, draft picks he's had these past five years, but coach Hurley has been at the top of the top in college for a couple of years now. And, you know, I love that man to death," Clingan said.
UConn had two draft picks in the top 10 this year. Apart from Clingan, Stephon Castle was drafted No. 4 overall by the San Antonio Spurs.
Hurley, who was present with his two draft picks at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, was pleased to have his former players picked early in the first round. He later held up a Trail Blazers hat in his left hand and a Spurs cap in his right in celebration.
A glimpse into Donovan Clingan's college basketball career
Donovan Clingan played two seasons with the UConn Huskies. He averaged 9.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.0 rebounds per game across 74 appearances for the program. Defensively, he had 2.1 blocks and 0.5 steals per game for the Huskies.
Clingan won the NCAA title in both years at UConn. He earned a Big East All-Freshman team selection in 2023 and was an AP Honorable Mention All-American in 2024.
Now, after a stellar college basketball career, it will be interesting to see how Clingan fares in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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