Donovan Clingan reveals touching meaning behind family-inspired look at 2024 NBA Draft

UConn standout Donovan Clingan arrived at the Barclays Center in style ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.

The 7-foot-2 center, who is projected to be a top-three pick in Wednesday night’s draft, looked dapper in a tuxedo and classic bow tie, with the lining of his jacket featuring a sentimental touch inside: a collage of family photos.

“Just wanted to have pictures of people that have helped me get to this point, people who have guided me, on the inside of my jacket,” Clingan said on the red carpet, according to CT Insider .

“Just me and my mom, someone that was really special to me and someone I lost … I just wanted to have her as a special part of the day.”

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The former Huskies star lost his mom Stacey to breast cancer in 2018.

Ahead of Wednesday’s draft, the Connecticut native said he attributes much of his success and motivation to his home state.

“Connecticut has given a lot to me my whole life. It’s given me great opportunities. It’s blessed me with the career I’ve had so far. They’ve given me a lot of support and a lot of love,” Clingan said Tuesday during pre-draft media availability in Midtown.

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“I just want to be able to give back one day, so I’m just gonna continue to work to make it to the highest level and be the greatest player and person I possibly can be.”

The inside of his jacket unmistakably reflects this.

Clingan went to UConn after an impressive high school career at Bristol Central High School, where he scored a school record of 2,268 career points, ranking seventh all-time in state history.

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The 20-year-old was poised to be a potential selection in the 2023 NBA Draft but decided to return to UConn for his sophomore season.

The center appeared in 35 games last season with the Huskies, averaging 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in 22.5 minutes per game.

The Huskies won their second straight championship in 2024 under head coach Dan Hurley, who recently rejected the Lakers’ six-year, $70 million offer.

While The Post’s recent mock draft has the Atlanta Hawks selecting French star Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1 overall, Clingan has also been mentioned as a contender for the first overall pick .

The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft gets underway at 8 p.m. from Brooklyn.

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