Robert Williams III et Deandre Ayton, Les Premiers Supporters de Donovan Clingan • Basket USA

“Mental adjustment, that was the most important to me”. Double NCAA champion with Connecticut, Donovan CLINGAN had to start from scratch when he arrived in Portland, becoming a player of rotation and above all an element which we expect to prove himself in this new ruthless world of the NBA.

Luckily, the 2m18 pivot was able to take advantage of three important factors which facilitated his integration: having arrived in a franchise where he had time to progress, to come across two benevolent teammates at his post, Robert Williams III and Deandre Ayton, and to have been able to benefit from a good playing time when the two previously cited players were injured. When taking stock of this first season, Portland number 23 can only be satisfied and enthusiastic for the future.

“When I was drafted here, I knew that I had fallen into an organization that was being built and that was going to take the time”, he said in his “exit interview”. “I just wanted to be part of something special. And of course, I love to win and I am a big competitor. I will enter the field every night to give everything I have (…). Everything I have done in the past two months, on the second part of the season, it was really to try to get my game to the upper stage. ”

Dead the big brother

By his side, Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III also took the time to gauge him, before realizing who they were dealing with, namely a player with an insatiable desire to progress. Destiny then allowed him to show more following the DEDENDRE AYTON calf injury, synonymous with the premature end of the season.

“It was great to see DC take a few good shots. Knowing that he is a double reigning NCAA champion, I know he was not really used to getting out of the bench. So, having spent the first part of the season, then being able to start, we could see his confidence increase. We have also seen his body change a little over time, since he was kept in a better form ”slipped the usual holder.

Despite his injury, the Bahamian did not drop his rookie for all that, continuing to guide him on the right track. “If I do not play the way I should, he will let me know”and Assuré Donovan Clingan. “But if I play well, and do what I have to do, then he can be my biggest supporter. He is someone I admire. ”

Ready to iron by the Summer League box

It is the same thing for Robert Williams III, who enjoyed seeing Donovan Clingan take up the challenges that arose during his first season in the NBA.

“Seeing him learn, understanding things and not giving up is what marked me the most”said Robert Williams III. “It's easy to arrive in this league and realize that everything is not rosy, and back in front of the biggest obstacles. But DC grows ”.

One year before the end of the respective contracts of his counterparts at post 5, Donovan Clingan may even end up pushing one of the two, or even both, towards the exit.

To continue his progress, Donovan Clingan even said he was ready to go back to Summer League this summer. What definitively convince the leaders of Portland to shake up the hierarchy? The future will say.

“I love basketball so much. I want to play as much as I can ”in any case slipped the former Uconn.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.