Top-35 junior Donovan Clingan talks recruitment, season

Last season, Donovan Clingan emerged as one of 2022’s top-rated big men. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the 7-foot-1 big out of Bristol Central in Connecticut landed scholarship offers from nearly ten programs.

He started the contact period just having six scholarship offers but that number doubled once coaches began recruiting him and speaking with him. He reeled in scholarships from nearly fifteen programs and his list varies from all major conferences.

He brings a combination of size and skill which has been displayed this season. Clingan can run the floor very well, scores on multiple levels, great length, etc. He’s been flat out dominating early this season and he’s averaging 32 points and 14.3 rebounds in his first three games here during his junior campaign.

Clingan has asserted himself as a high-level scorer who has combined for 96 points within his team’s first few minutes of game action this season. I think his dominant play has definitely put him in consideration for a fifth-star.

Stockrisers.com talked with Clingan on Saturday night. He talked about his recruitment which includes a new offer from Michigan.

Which schools are heavily in the mix?

“Rutgers, UConn, Georgetown, Michigan, Ohio State, Syracuse, Providence, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Iowa, Iona, and Louisville.” *Louisville hasn’t offered

Your latest offer comes from Juwan Howard and Michigan, thoughts?

“I had a two-hour zoom call the other day with them, they offered, it went great, it was my first time talking to Juwan Howard. I talk to Howard Eisley a lot, but we are starting to build a good relationship.”

What are your thoughts on Syracuse?

“Syracuse is one of the programs that is recruiting me heavily and I stay in very good contact with their coaching staff.”

How about the local school in UConn and Dan Hurley?

“UConn has a great staff, they are also a school that is recruiting me hard. Coach Hurley and his staff are doing good things there.”

Discuss your game

“I feel like I am pretty good in the post, whether it’s back to the basket or facing up. For my height and position, I feel like I shoot the ball pretty well, I move well for my height, and one thing that many coaches tell me that makes me different from other bigs is my passing and court vision.”

How have you been able to improve this year and be dominant?

“Over quarantine, I was lifting a lot trying to get a lot stronger. I was working on my game also, even though it was difficult at times to get into a gym, but I’m just trying to make it to the next level and in order to do that I have to work every day.”