By Michael Letendre
HOUSTON – For the fifth time in program history, the UConn men’s basketball squad have been crowned national champions.
After the Huskies defeated San Diego State 76-59 in the 2023 title game from NRG Stadium in Houston Texas on Monday night, the team from Storrs moved to 5-for-5 in the championship game appearances – winning it all in 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014 and 2023.
And Huskie fans all over globe were partying last night like it was 1999.
The victory, which will lead to the Huskies capturing the No. 1 ranking in the final poll of the year, means that Bristol’s own Donovan Clingan is a dual champion – putting a brand-new national championship title next to his CIAC Division II trophy he won as a member of the Bristol Central boys basketball team during the 2021-22 scholastic campaign.
Over his last two basketball seasons, between Central and UConn, Clingan’s squads have gone a combined 59-8 overall, good for an amazing 88-percent winning clip.
And both programs ended – or will end – the year as the top-ranked teams.
It’s been a sensational ride for Clingan and UConn, providing Husky fans with one of the most dominant NCAA postseason runs, perhaps, ever.
In the championship game against the double tough Aztecs, the Bristol native battled early foul trouble but still loomed large on the court.
In 10 minutes of court time, he was the ultimate disrupter on the hardwood.
Clingan tallied four points, three rebounds, dished out an assist, rejected a shot and nabbed two steals over a few very productive stints that led to the ultimate win.
His first field goal, a loud alley-oop jam just minutes into his first rotation of the game, got the UConn faithful in Houston to rise to their feet.
UConn led by 12 at the half and never trailed again.
San Diego made its run midway through the second period but never got it closer than five points.
And when the final horn sounded, there was a triumphant 7-foot-2 giant from Bristol jumping up and down, grinning from ear-to-ear, giving out hugs, hopping on his phone for a little reflection, and giving out high-fives to everyone he saw.
The center ended his amazing first year journey as a collegiate player averaging 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over just 13 minutes-per-game.
He shot a blistering 65.5-percent from the field and when he wasn’t on the hardwood, Clingan was the biggest cheerleader for his team, checked into everything his teammates were doing.
The center ended up scoring 23 points, grabbing 21 rebounds, and rejected nine shots during the NCAA Division I tourney play.
Clingan accepted his bench role throughout the campaign, helping his squad win every tournament game by double figures during March Madness and kept the crew playing into April – making Storrs ‘Title Town’ one more time in front of several loud and excited UConn basketball legends who were in attendance last night.
It was an amazing journey for Clingan from his first game at Bristol Central as a freshman at Manchester High School, to his recruitment process, the dual CCC Tournament championships, for the Rams and an elusive [due to COVID] Division II title as an All-State phenom.
Now, he adds a national championship to his resume in an overflowing trophy case of accomplishments and milestones.
What Clingan has done over his 39-game collegiate stint at the University of Connecticut is simply remarkable.
And don’t think pro scouts didn’t take notice.
But for the likeable big fellow, all roads led to UConn – the ultimate choice he decided upon when attempting to flesh out his collegiate plans.
Clingan, playing on hallowed grounds in Houston with the national champs, could have written a different story for himself collegiately by attending one of eight other schools he was eyeing.
Georgetown would have loved him, Michigan as well, but that path wasn’t the school in Storrs.
Clingan, along with football standout Victor Rosa, have proven that you can stay, and play, in Connecticut and achieve at the highest level possible.
That duo could have gone anywhere, competed for higher-profile coaches and the script would have come out different.
The two friends are doing something very special up the street.
For now, all roads for men’s collegiate basketball lead to Storrs, Connecticut.
And Clingan will continue to write his story in Eastern Connecticut until the next path in life becomes a bit clearer.
Congratulations to Clingan and the UConn Men’s basketball program for a fun and memorable year.
You have truly made the city of Bristol ecstatic with all the hard work, effort and determination you display perfecting your craft on a daily basis.
The best is yet to come for this outstanding young man as the years unfold.
***
Speaking of stories, this is a great opportunity to purchase my new book ‘Dream Team’ which gives a detailed look at Clingan’s final season as a member of Bristol Central’s boys basketball program – leading to the state championship in 2022.
It’s available from Amazon and is a good read on Bristol’s 7-foot-2 center, and the entire crew from Central, before Clingan’s travels to UConn commenced.
It’s a fun read with awesome photos that dives into the amazing, undefeated season the Rams put together one short year ago.
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All TBE readers, supporters and donors
The Bristol Edition will be limiting the number of stories non-members and free readers may access each week. This decision is based on our financial projections and, most certainly, to remind people that TBE is serious about providing accurate, timely and thorough reporting for Bristol. To do this we have devised a financial support structure that makes unlimited access extremely affordable, beginning with a $6 monthly donation.
- Non-members will be able to access four (4) articles per week.
- Free readers and people who have subscribed by email will be able to access four (4) articles per week.
- Donors and financial supporters will have unlimited access as long as they log in.
Note: Donors may have to contact TBE if they find they are being limited, since we will need to set up a membership account for you. Email editor@bristoledition.org for instructions. Sorry for any inconvenience. People with financial difficulties may write editor@bristoledition.org to be considered for free access.
