Donovan Clingan Returning (Per Himself)

[ucp990411]

He has physical tools but there is so much more to the game that only live action can present. The coach seems to be saying the same thing and he knows best. Give him a chance and let’s see what happens

 

[TheChamps990411]

Sounds pretty definitive about coming back and he seems not only eager to go for #6 but hes ready to put in the work this summer. Moment of silence for our opponents next season. This kid is going to be an animal. Conference player of the year. If Newton comes back he can slide over to his more natural #2 spot and this team will be in great position to repeat. If Sanogo comes back they might as well just ship us the trophy now. It wont even be fair.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Hopefully it goes as well for Donovan as it did for Adama

It will. 30+ wins next season. If Sanogo comes back id bump it to 35.

 

[RichZ]

...if Jackson develops a jumper he’s a late first rounder.

if he averages double figure dimes and 8 or more boards, he'll be a first rounder, even without a reliable three point shot.

 

[Palatine]

Hey played against low majors last year. He just didn’t play a lot because he can’t play effectively without fouling.

He played against Stonehill this year in the first game of the season. They finished 330 in Kenpom. He was on pace to foul out in 20 minutes.

People have created this narrative that’s it’s common to struggle and then become a big contributor with more playing time, but it’s actually rare.

How many minutes did Clingan have to play before it was obvious he would be a contributor? Maybe 5? How about Karaban? Jackson? Hawkins? Sanogo?

Most guys show something right away, even if they have freshman struggles.

Johnson has some elite physical traits, so hopefully he will put it together, but this whole “he’d be really good if he just played more” is made up.

Players make large improvements from freshman to sophomore year all the time. Karaban sat for his freshman semester and then came in to be a huge contributor. Hawkins make a very large leap.

Jim Calhoun said the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. Let's not write off kids based on nothing.

Riddle me this Batman. If Hurley saw the player you are writing about the same way you do, why would he invite him back? Hurley would ask such a player to move on for his own good, no?

 

[Waquoit]

Jim Calhoun said the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. Let's not write off kids based on nothing.

That was Al McGuire

 

[7774]

Players make large improvements from freshman to sophomore year all the time. Karaban sat for his freshman semester and then came in to be a huge contributor. Hawkins make a very large leap.

Jim Calhoun said the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. Let's not write off kids based on nothing.

Riddle me this Batman. If Hurley saw the player you are writing about the same way you do, why would he invite him back? Hurley would ask such a player to move on for his own good, no?

Hawkins did make a very large leap. It was also obvious last year that he was going to be a player, despite some freshman struggles, and a big part of his struggles was just bad luck with the concussions.

I need to see Samson Johnson show some ability to play without fouling before I can ever expect him to be a real contributor. The game has just been too fast for him up to this point.

 

[husky429]

I think it’s just a matter of practice for him. We know he can make threes pre game, and during garbage time of one of the final games of the season (don’t remember against who), he looked pretty comfortable pulling up for midrange jumpers even though he was 0-2

I think he’ll surprise us with his shooting ability. Although obviously his footwork in the post is the #1 priority

It's not just practice. He needs to change his form to be more consistent. He holds the ball too far from his face and has a funky hitch around his chin that he needs to clean up.

It's often easier for big guy to adjust to shooting 3s because being tall isn't such a disadvantage to getting arc and it's easier to shoot with rhythm. We're seeing that here. His 3s are mich more fundamentally sounds than his FTs.

 

[ucp990411]

It's not just practice. He needs to change his form to be more consistent. He holds the ball too far from his face and has a funky hitch around his chin that he needs to clean up.

It's often easier for big guy to adjust to shooting 3s because being tall isn't such a disadvantage to getting arc and it's easier to shoot with rhythm. We're seeing that here. His 3s are mich more fundamentally sounds than his FTs.

From the that said Karaban needs to learn how to shoot a layup off one foot

 

[Kitaman]

Readiness aside: Donovan looked like he was having so much fun (actually happy), enjoying the game watching and playing living a dream. This seems worth forgoing 'work' for a year to continue the fun, especially if your growing, learning and winning at the same time. And what a start for him!
Not saying he's not about business, but it appears obvious he loves the college game right now and perhaps campus life.

 

[Palatine]

That was Al McGuire

Lots of coaches said it including Calhoun.

 

[husky429]

The extra year won't effect his draft status as much as others because he's a true freshman. Many (most?) other freshman will have been in his class originally.

 

[Palatine]

It's not just practice. He needs to change his form to be more consistent. He holds the ball too far from his face and has a funky hitch around his chin that he needs to clean up.

It's often easier for big guy to adjust to shooting 3s because being tall isn't such a disadvantage to getting arc and it's easier to shoot with rhythm. We're seeing that here. His 3s are mich more fundamentally sounds than his FTs.

The kid has a 7-5 wingspan sitting atop a 6-10 frame (assuming he hasn't grown at all since he got here). He has a very good handle for a kid that size. Good hands. He has the potential to be a very good rim protector, offensive rebounder and inside player. He has probably gotten much stronger after two years in the weight room.

His three point form is well down the list of skills we need to worry about.