Donovan Clingan is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers. Like him, his sister, Olivia, is also making a remarkable impact on the sports field.
Donovan played basketball at Bristol Central High School and led his team to a 2022 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Division II state championship. He played amateur athletic union (AAU) basketball for Joe Chatman at Team Spartans in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
On July 2, 2021, the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year committed to playing college basketball for UConn over offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Georgetown, Syracuse, Providence, and Rutgers. He shared a close bond with UConn Huskies football running back Victor Rosa.
During his freshman season at UConn, he was named to the Big East Conference All-Freshman team at the end of the regular season. Despite being predicted to be selected in the 2023 NBA draft, he chose to play his sophomore year at UConn. However, he forfeited his remaining college eligibility to declare for the 2024 NBA draft on April 12, 2024.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and chose 23 as his jersey number. On October 23, 2024, he made his NBA debut in a 140–104 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Donovan Clingan’s Sister Olivia Played Volleyball
Born on February 23, 2004, Donavan grew up with his younger sister, Olivia Clingan, in Bristol, Connecticut. They attended the Bristol Central High School in Connecticut.
Olivia played volleyball for the Bristol Central Varsity Volleyball team in high school and graduated in 2023. Afterward, she pursued her further education at Clemson University. Besides her remarkable volleyball achievements, she also excels in swimming.
She follows her family legacy by honoring her brother and late mother through her sports achievements. Her parents, Bill Clingan and Stacey Porrini Clingan, always supported and encouraged her to pursue a career in sports.
Stacey was renowned for her basketball skills and was one of the best players at Bristol Central during her high school career. She made a remarkable impact on the University of Maine by playing for the Black Bear basketball team. Moreover, she led Maine to three NCAA tournaments, scoring 1128 points and grabbing 929 rebounds. Her determination earned her a place in the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame, which honors her achievements.
Furthermore, Donovan got his passion and love for basketball from his mother, who passed away on March 27, 2018, at the age of 42 due to breast cancer. He and his sister reflect on their mother’s influence as she instilled in them the value of dedication for success.
Although Bill Clingan does not play sports, he strongly supports both of his children. He is an electric field operations supervisor. After his wife’s tragic demise, he has been there for Donovan and Olivia through all the good and bad times.
He often shares their achievements on his social media platforms, expressing his pride in seeing his children’s accomplishments. He was recently seen wearing a unique shirt featuring his son’s face, showing his pride and support for his son.
