LAS VEGAS — When the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Donovan Clingan with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they did so primarily because of the defensive impact the 7-foot-2 center could have on the court.
In his first taste of professional basketball at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Clingan's defensive production was on full display, as he averaged the highest number of blocks per game in summer-league history at 4.3. That passed the previous record, set last season, by Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama, who averaged 4.0.
Clingan also averaged 12.3 rebounds in summer league, the ninth highest mark in summer league history.
The Blazers rookie center improved each game in summer league and had his best outing Friday against the Charlotte Hornets. Clingan scored in double figures for the first time in summer league, finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two steals. He made seven of his 13 field-goal attempts, including two of his seven attempts from the 3-point line.
The Blazers sat Clingan in their fifth and final summer-league game Sunday.
While Clingan excelled on defense from the start, he struggled on offense, though he did improve as the games went on. After averaging 6.0 points on 26.3% shooting, including 0-for-4 from the 3-point line, through the first two games, he averaged 12.0 points and shot 43.4% from the field, including 33% on 3-pointers, in the last two contests.
Despite Clingan's shooting struggles through the first two games, he was named to the All-Summer League second team, and was one of only four rookies named to an All-Summer League Team, along with the likes of Reed Sheppard, Bub Carrington and former Oregon Duck Kel'el Ware.
With summer league over, Clingan now turns his attention to the start of training camp and his rookie season. Training camp starts Oct. 1 for the Blazers, and the NBA regular season begins Oct. 22, though the Blazers' schedule has yet to be released.
Terence Holton of KGW contributed to this report.
