The Portland Trail Blazers’ biggest, tallest box was checked in the 2024 Summer League: Donovan Clingan stayed healthy and showed that he can be the defensive stalwart that the fans were promised.
Clingan came away from Vegas with 17 blocks in four games. His 4.3 blocks-per-game average is the highest in Summer League history. It’s more than Amen Thompson and Victor Wembanyama had (4.0) last year. It’s also more than Greg Oden had (4.0) in 2007.
Clingan also led Summer League in rebounds per game with 12.3, over a full rebound more than the next highest (Yauhen Massalski & Grayson Murphy, 11.0). To round out his stats, Clingan averaged 9.0 points and 2.0 assists.
While it’s a great sign that Clingan led the competition in two major statistical categories — which led him to an All-Summer League Second Team selection — perhaps the trait that stood out most was the competitive fire that he put on display.
A Championship-Caliber Close-Out Performance
With 3:03 left to go in the first half of the Blazers’ second game against the Philadelphia 76ers, ex-No. 1 overall recruit Justin Edwards had just stuffed Clingan directly under the hoop.
After the players ran down to the other end of the floor, a dead-ball-out-of-bounds occurred and Clingan slammed his hand into the padded stanchion out of frustration.
Clingan received a technical foul (and I’m sure a talking-to from the coaches) after the outburst. It signified that he wasn’t having a great game and was still getting settled into Summer League competition.
But what was inspiring to see was that Clingan continued to battle with that same fiery passion till the end of the game. That’s when the two-time national champion and ultimate competitor came out.
With one minute to go in the game, the Blazers were down three points with the ball. Clingan corralled Kennedy Chandler‘s three-point attempt for an offensive board and, after a miss of his own followed by another rebound, scored to make it a one-point game.
On the next defensive possession, Clingan stepped up to block Jared McCain’s mid-range jumper, securing the chance for the Blazers to take the lead with 17 seconds to go. After Bryce McGowens hit two free throws to take the lead, Clingan used all 90 inches of his wingspan to impede McCain’s next inbound attempt, forcing a five-second violation with his effort on what should have been a routine play.
It may have been an irrelevant game in an irrelevant tournament to some, but Donovan Clingan wanted to win. He showed that on both ends of the court in those critical moments through eye-opening, determined efforts.
Continuing to Grow and Improve
The big man only seemed to get better in the teams’ final two games. He may not be quite ready for 35 minutes of game-time action from a stamina standpoint — which is okay given that he will be coming off the bench to start the season most likely — but that doesn’t mean he isn’t pushing himself when he is on the floor.
In the Blazers’ final game against the Hornets, Clingan seemed to put it all together. No sequence stood out more than at the end of the first half where he swats away a breakaway lob attempt, runs down to the other end, sets a brief screen, rolls to the hoop, and puts away an alley-oop of his own with conviction.
There are many seven-foot-plus players in the history of the NBA who have felt uneasy on a basketball court. Whether it’s because they lack the footwork or touch to perform, or simply don’t enjoy basketball, being that tall does not necessarily translate into talent and a passion for the game.
But Donovan Clingan clearly has the will to get better and the urge to compete. That drive alongside his footwork, touch and instincts will make him a force in the league for years to come.
Other notable performances from the Blazers’ Summer League
Bryce McGowens was a last-second pick-up for Portland, receiving a two-way contract after Cronin and Co. saw him play in the California Classic, but he ended up as the Blazers’ leading scorer with 15.8 points per game. He’ll likely headline the Rip City Remix over the course of the season, but he may get a call-up or two if he builds on his Summer League performance.
Kris Murray looked downright terrible on the offensive end of the floor. He even noted his own struggles in a mid-game, courtside interview during Portland’s final game against the Rockets. Murray performed fine on the defensive end, but for a 24-year-old wing given ample opportunities to show his skills so far in his career, the outlook for a significant role moving forward looks bleak.
Rayan Rupert was putting together an alright performance before the final game’s box score said otherwise. The French wing showed a concerted effort to score in transition, but was unable to finish a significant portion of his attempts. As a potential 3-and-D candidate, his 23% 3-point shooting mark was concerning. He’s only 20 and still has plenty of time and room to develop, but he’ll need to look more poised when on the floor to receive more opportunity. Expect to see him in next year’s Summer League.
The Blazers fell short of competing for a Summer League title, and it looks as if Clingan will (as expected) be the only player featured in the Blazers’ rotation come October; however, Blazer fans can walk away confident that they found a center who can anchor the defense for this growing core of young stars.
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