What’s wrong with Donovan Clingan’s hand? UConn center has hand in wrap at Final Four
Donovan Clingan has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament, but his offensive game could be limited with a right-hand injury that he suffered during practice in Phoenix.
By Josh Yourish
Donovan Clingan was just Adama Sanogo’s backup last year when UConn won the national title. However, this year, he’s at the center of everything the Huskies do on both ends of the floor. In the Elite Eight against Illinois, Clingan had arguably the best game of his two-year collegiate career with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks.
However, after raising his NBA draft stock and carrying the Huskies past the Illini, Clingan showed up at the Final Four with a wrap on his right hand, but no word about when he suffered the injury. However, through a spokesperson, UConn has told reporters that he suffered the injury yesterday during a practice in Phoenix.
Per a UConn spokesman, Donovan Clingan injured his right hand in practice yesterday. That explains why there's a wrap around it today.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 7, 2024
There still isn’t word about what the injury is or how he sustained it, but Clingan hasn’t seemed very limited, aside from the time he had an apparent grimace on his face after blocking a lob. He’s still been very effective on the defensive end.
Through the first 15 minutes of UConn’s Final Four matchup with Alabama, Clingan has grabbed two rebounds and two blocks but hasn’t been featured on offense. He’s just 2-4 for four points. UConn has not been able to pull away from the Crimson Tide.
For the season, Clingan averages 12.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 22.1 minutes. If he cannot be a factor in the post and struggles offensively, then the Huskies could be in danger of ending their historic two-year NCAA Tournament run of 10 straight wins.