Donovan Clingan
C, UConn · 2024 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #7 (POR)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
The 2024 class is only 2 seasons in, so this verdict can still change a lot.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #3 (#1 at his position), close to where he went (#7).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
20.3 years old on draft night (born 2004-02-23).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (246 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at UConn.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
C (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (182 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 148 games over 3 NBA seasons (~60% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Seasons | 3 |
| Games | 148 |
| Minutes / game | 23.7 |
| Points / game | 9.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 9.8 |
| Assists / game | 1.7 |
| Win Shares (career) | 13.0 |
| VORP | 3.4 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 1.7 |
| 2026-27 so far | 2 GP, 9.5 PPG (ESPN) |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2024 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2024 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age 20 | 50.4% n=246 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Center | 51.1% n=182 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 7' 1.75", 282 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 20.3 |
| Born | 2004-02-23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #3 overall (#1 C) |
Picked around him 2024 redraft
| 4 | Stephon Castle | redraft #5 |
| 5 | Ron Holland | redraft #20 |
| 6 | Tidjane Salaün | redraft #30 |
| 8 | Rob Dillingham | redraft #54 |
| 9 | Zach Edey | redraft #7 |
| 10 | Cody Williams | redraft #53 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.