BOSTON — From six years ago to today, Donovan Clingan’s life has been irrevocably changed. He lost his mother, Stacey Pollini Clingan, to her battle with breast cancer.
“She was a big basketball player in Maine and had a great career,” the Connecticut center recalled. “Instead of going [to the] WNBA, she wanted to have a child and be a mother.She had me and my sister, and I’m just trying to [remember her] Through the game. ”
Clingan’s passion for basketball comes from Stacey, a three-time America East Conference selection, three-time NCAA Tournament appearance, and finished his career with 1,128 points, 929 rebounds and 220 blocks.
A center like him, she taught her son the sport. When she died at the age of 42, it inspired him to give her all. He used her memory as her motivation. He had no choice but to make it.
Otherwise, Mr. Klingan felt he would be disappointing her.
“It gave me a reason to be proud of her, it gave me a way to represent her, and I’m still attached to her,” said the 7-foot-2 sophomore big man from Bristol, Conn. I could feel it,” said the sophomore big man from Bristol, Conn. Seeded UW was preparing to play No. 5 San Diego State in the Sweet 16 Thursday night at TD Garden. “She’s the best mother anyone could ask for and she’s inspired me so much. I just want to make her proud.”
It’s hard to imagine her feeling differently.
Her son is projected to be a lottery pick and is one of the keys to the Huskies winning back-to-back national championships for the first time since Florida in 2006-07.
Clingan was a backup a year ago and became a starter this year, averaging 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.5 assists per game.
A few weeks ago, UConn rode on those broad shoulders to victory when it won its first Big East tournament since 2011.
On the day, he dominated Marquette’s standout forward Oso Ighodalo, scoring 22 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
Clingan lived up to coach Dan Hurley’s nickname “Cling Kong” in Sunday’s NCAA second-round win over No. 9 Northwestern, defeating the Wildcats in the paint with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Ta.
“He dominates the game, just like Adama.” [Sanogo] We dominated these games last March,” Hurley said.
Health is important to Klingan.
He suffered two foot injuries, one during the preseason and one early in conference play.
The University of Connecticut played it safe the second time, giving him extra time to recover. It worked. Clingan said this is the best feeling in a long time.
He is recovering well, is not dealing with any pain and is playing well.
Clingan, who will speak Thursday night, will look to lead Connecticut to another win in the NCAA Tournament.
As always, his mother will be on his mind. As traumatic as losing her when she was 14 was what led him to this point.
“After she passed away, I stepped up to the next level,” he said. “I’m just trying to expand my game in every way and try harder to be great. I just want to make her proud and try to do things for her. .”
