Wizards Land 2nd Pick in 2024 NBA Draft, Fans See Donovan Clingan as Ideal Fit | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The Washington Wizards have landed the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft after the lottery results were revealed on Sunday afternoon in Chicago.

This is an interesting draft year, as there isn't any one dominant prospect teams covet a la Victor Wembanyama last season or Zion Williamson in 2019.

There's also a host of international players and G-League stars who will be populating the first round, many of whom will find themselves chosen in the lottery.

A few players who built their resumes in college will be coveted, though, and one of them is UConn big man and two-time national champion Donovan Clingan.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman listed the 7'2", 280-pound Clingan 11th on his latest NBA draft big board, writing in part:

"Donovan Clingan feels like one of the draft's easiest bets to be a positive NBA contributor and valued starter at his position. A 280-pound center who doesn't shoot, handle or operate outside the paint may just need the right roster construction around him. Regardless, for two seasons he showed he could use his enormous frame, feet, length and reactions to block shots, contest in pick-and-roll coverage, own the glass and pick up easy baskets."

Clingan's dominant sophomore season at UConn undoubtedly turned heads. He averaged 13.0 points on 63.9 percent shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 22.6 minutes per game.

Clingan notably helped UConn win all 12 of their NCAA tournament games over the past two seasons by double digits. During this year's March Madness run, he posted 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per outing.

At 15-67, the Wizards need a lot of help everywhere, but that's especially the case down low after the team dealt starting center Daniel Gafford to the Dallas Mavericks before the trade deadline.

Long-term, the Wizards have Jordan Poole and Deni Avidja on the wing with Kyle Kuzma operating in a hybrid role on the perimeter. They don't have any long-term options at center or point guard right now, though, and Clingan could help fill one of the spots.

For now, Wizards fans seem intrigued about the prospect of Clingan landing in D.C.

road to #12 🏆 | #bleedblue @bueckersbuckets

I need Clingan to go to the Wizards so him and Aaliyah can take over the entirety of DC 💙 <a href="">

Wizards Film Room @KevinFolliNBA

More than happy with getting #2 with the amount of teams that jumped in the lottery. My early thoughts for the pick assuming Sarr goes #1 are:<br><br>Topic<br>Castle<br>Clingan <br>Sheppard

Robi 🍉🇱🇧🇨🇩🇸🇩 @Yeeeerrrrobi

Wizards just taking Clingan and running, no?

cancun twizzy 🦌 ⌚️ @twin2is

I want Don Clingan on the Wizards

Maybe: Jacoby @Getthebagcoach

Donovan Clingan Wizards <a href="">

David (nobody/somebody) @LaichItIs

Wizards taking Clingan would be my pick but I don't know how well he'd hold up against some guys

Otto @OttovonSothen

My first takes post-lottery: <br>Atlanta picks Alex Sarr with the first pick, they get an elite defender and maybe the best big man in the draft. <br>This leaves the Wizards with a few options options :<br>-pick a guard: Rob, Reed, Topic, Castle<br>-pick off need (a center): Donovan Clingan

anthony robinson II fan account @thatonefan_13

way too early mock:<br><br>hawks: alex sarr<br>wizards: donovan clingan<br>rockets: zaccharie risacher<br>spurs: nikola topic<br>pistons: matas buzelis<br>hornets: rob dillingham<br>blazers: ron holland<br>spurs: stephon castle<br>grizzlies: dalton knecht<br>jazz: reed sheppard <br>bulls: cody williams

Wizards Film Room @KevinFolliNBA

I love Clingan as a prospect, I'd take him anywhere from 3-6 if that is where the Wizards pick lands. I think he can be a walking top-10 defense by himself. <br><br>Also, if he adds a 3-point shot, he is going to be a beast. <a href="">

Parker Wade @ParkerWade62

Clingan 🤞🏼 <a href="">

Will Clayton @WillCIayton

I'm opening up to it more, but I think I'd prefer if they took Clingan or Castle. <br><br>Everything is gonna feel like a reach at this stage so getting a guy who can play defense and isn't total dead weight as a scorer is a win for me.

We'll see where Washington lands soon enough with the draft beginning Wednesday, June 26 in Brooklyn. We'll also get a better sense of where the prospects shake out after the NBA Scouting Combine this week.