Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media
Donovan Clingan may be the small-town kid from Bristol to UConn men’s basketball fans, but the 7-foot-2 sophomore is flying in a celebrity orbit.
As the Huskies prepare for another NCAA title run, Clingan is among six college basketball stars featured in a promo for the apparel brand SKIMS. The company was co-founded by Kim Kardashian, who shared news of the partnership on social media Sunday and Monday.The promotion is for the company’s men’s terry loungewear, which will be available starting Thursday as the NCAA Tournament begins.
Kardashian’s post the social media site X on Monday:
“THE @SKIMS MARCH ALL-STARS: Six of the nation’s top college basketball players sport our new Mens Terry loungewear, dropping Thursday, March 21 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET.
“Caleb Love (Arizona), Donovan Clingan (UConn), Hunter Dickinson (Kansas), Jared McCain (Duke), Robert Dillingham (Kentucky), and Paxson Wojcik (UNC)”
This is the latest endorsement deal from Clingan, who has thrived in the name, image and likeness space. Locally, he profited from deals with such companies as Stephen Automall Centre and Ion Solar. He also has deals with Dunkin’, Panini America, Ritz and F45 Training.
Clingan also ran his own basketball camp in Vernon last summer.
At Bristol Central High, Clingan was among the most decorated basketball players in state history. He led Bristol Central to a Division II CIAC state championship in 2022 when he averaged 30.1 points, 18.4 rebounds and 6.2 blocks. Clingan scored 2,268 points in his career at Bristol Central and chose UConn over a number of high-level schools across the country.
Clingan was a reserve on UConn’s NCAA title team last year. He averaged 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game. As UConn’s starting center, he is averaging 12. 5 points and 7.2 rebounds for the No. 1 Huskies.
He had 22 points and 16 rebounds in UConn’s Big East title game win over Marquette Saturday. Clingan is expected to declare for this summer’s NBA Draft and is projected as a first-round pick.
The Huskies play their first round NCAA Tournament game Friday against Stetson (2:45 p.m., CBS) in Brooklyn.
