On the eve of the NBA Draft, Donovan Clingan remains uncertain of his destination.
“It doesn’t feel real. It’s gonna be a long 24 hours,” Clingan said Tuesday during pre-draft media availability in Midtown.
The former UConn standout and Connecticut native has been projected as a top-three pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and has worked out with the Atlanta Hawks, who hold the first pick in Wednesday’s first round and can pair their selection with star point guard Trae Young.
“I think it’d be a great connection, something that could work out really well,” Clingan said about the possibility of playing with the three-time All-Star. “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.”
Though The Post’s recent mock draft has the Hawks selecting French star Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1 overall, Clingan has been mentioned as a contender for the first overall pick, too.
Risacher has a 73 percent chance of going in the top spot, according to ESPN’s draft predictor, with Alex Sarr as the next candidate at 23 percent and Clingan at six percent.
Clingan also mentioned a Zoom meeting he had with the San Antonio Spurs — who have the No. 4 and No. 8 picks — who could combine the 7-foot-2 Clingan with Victor Wembanyama, the 7-4 big man who was named Rookie of the Year after being picked first overall by the Spurs in 2023.
“That’d be crazy.” Clingan said. “He’s such a well-rounded player. He can play one through five. Two seven footers in a ball screen would be pretty scary I feel like.”
“On the defensive end, two high-level rim protectors and two people who can move I feel like is something that can really work out,” he added.
Clingan was a likely selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, but decided to return to UConn for his sophomore season.
The center appeared in 35 games last season with the Huskies, averaging 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in 22.5 minutes per game.
He recorded six double-doubles, including a pair in the NCAA Tournament on the way to UConn’s second consecutive championship — the first back-to-back men’s titles since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
Clingan attributes much of his college success to UConn head coach Dan Hurley, who just turned down a $70 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers to chase a third consecutive national championship with the Huskies.
“He knew what he saw in me. We built that great relationship and I’ll be forever grateful for it,” Cingan said.
Clingan emphasized that Hurley will eventually want to coach in the NBA, but a third championship with UConn is his priority right now.
Born and raised in Bristol, Conn., the center went to UConn after an impressive high school career at Bristol Central High School, where he scored a school record 2,268 career points, ranking seventh all-time in state history.
“Connecticut has given a lot to me my whole life. It’s given me great opportunities. It’s blessed me with the career I’ve had so far. They’ve given me a lot of support and a lot of love,” Clingan said. “I just want to be able to give back one day, so I’m just gonna continue to work to make it to the highest level and be the greatest player and person I possibly can be,” he added.
Stephon Castle, Clingan’s UConn teammate, is projected to join him as a top-10 pick on Wednesday.
“That’s my guy,” Clingan said. “I love Steph. From Day 1, when I met him on his recruiting visit, we’ve had a great relationship ever since. He’s a special dude and a special player. He’s going to go into an organization and have a big-time impact.”
With the Spurs in position to draft both, could the two UConn stars have a shot at being teammates again?
Only Wednesday’s draft will tell.
