Prior to his dominant two-year run with the Connecticut Huskies,
Donovan Clingan put together one of the most impressive high school careers in the history of the Constitution State.
Clingan concluded his career at
Bristol Central (Bristol) as the leading scorer in program history with 2,268 points, which also ranked seventh all-time in state history. In addition, he finished his career as the school's all-time leader in rebounds and blocks.
As a junior, Clingan averaged 27.3 points, 17.2 rebounds, 5.8 blocks and 3.1 assists per contest before upping his averages to 36.0 points and 26.3 rebounds per game in three Central Connecticut Conference tournament games.
The 7-foot-1 center increased his tallies to 29.9 points, 18.1 rebounds, 6.1 blocks and 3.1 assists per outing as a senior and guided Central to its first state title since 1990.
Clingan piled up 52 points, 31 rebounds and nine blocks in a single game during his final year of high school hoops. In addition, he tallied 45 points and 28 rebounds in the Central Connecticut Conference championship game during a season full of Wilt Chamberlain-like stat lines.
Bristol Central won 43 consecutive games during Clingan's junior and senior seasons.
Clingan was named MaxPreps Connecticut Player of the Year in 2020-21 and 2021-22 and was a MaxPreps All-America selection as a senior. CHe also earned second team MaxPreps Junior All-America honors during a COVID-19 shortened season.
Following his decorated prep career, Clingan won national titles in both his freshman and sophomore seasons before declaring for the NBA Draft. He averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per contest in 22.5 minutes per outing last season and established himself as one of the elite rim protectors in the NCAA.
