"Donovan Clingan got such an incredible personality": UConn HC Dan Hurley couldn't hold back his praise for 2X National champ

Donovan Clingan is regarded as one of the top prospects in the upcoming NBA draft. The two-time national champion had an impressive college basketball career at UConn over the last two seasons and he is set to transition to the professional stage ahead of the next campaign.

Huskies head coach Dan Hurley was on a recent installment of “The Ryen Russillo Podcast” and he talked about Clingan's personality and how it influences NBA teams’ interest in him.

“They're sad when he leaves," Dan Hurley said [Timestamp: 00:56]. "They're sad when he leaves the facility and in the visits over, in the workouts over. Just because from a personality standpoint, and from the human element. He's just so impressive.

“And he's just so filled with life and he's (Donovan Clingan) got such an incredible personality. So before you even get to the basketball background, you just bring in somebody into your organization that just kind of blows you away with the charisma and the pop that he brings with him.”

Not the first time Dan Hurley has praised Donovan Clingan’s personality

This is not the first time Dan Hurley has praised Donovan Clingan's personality. Ahead of the 2023-24 college basketball season, the coach had some good words for the center in September 2023 as he prepared for his first season as a starter on the team.

“It’s just a killer mindset,” Hurley said (via CT Insider). “Donovan is such a nice guy, a fun guy. His teammates love him and he loves them.

“But in sports, you’ve got to be a bad guy sometimes. You’ve got to let people know when you’re not happy with the level of the play around you. You don’t win big things with just guys that everything’s rainbows and sunshine.”

With his charisma and talent on the court, Clingan led the Huskies to another national championship title. He played an important role in the team’s success, earning the AP Honorable Mention All-American honor.

As the 2024 NBA draft draws closer, Donovan Clingan’s stock continues to rise. The center is currently projected to be the first-overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming draft. With the No. 1 spot up for grabs in a perceived weak draft, analysts believe the big man is a great fit for the franchise.