Donovan Clingan celebrated his big night Wednesday with a certain someone.
The former UConn standout embraced girlfriend Madeleine Ross inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn after he was selected seventh overall by the Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Clingan, who honored his late mother with a personalized jacket, wore a black tux while Ross rocked a red dress.
The 7-foot-2 center was also joined by Huskies coach Dan Hurley, who turned down a six-year, $70 million offer to coach the Lakers earlier this month following UConn’s second straight national title.
“He knew what he saw in me. We built that great relationship and I’ll be forever grateful for it,” Clingan said of Hurley during pre-draft availability Tuesday.
In his final season at UConn, Clingan averaged 13 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game through 35 appearances.
A Connecticut native, Clingan is grateful for the support he’s long received from 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. “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.”
Clingan’s next chapter will take him to Portland, where the Trail Blazers finished the 2023-24 season at a dismal 21-61.
Hours before Wednesday’s draft, Ross — who has dated Clingan for years — posted a photo from a pre-draft luncheon at the Rainbow Room on her Instagram Story.
Ross celebrated Clingan’s second championship win with the Huskies in April when UConn topped the Purdue Boilermakers, 75-60.
“Deja vu,” she posted on Instagram at the time.