Donovan Clingan is headed to the NBA, and the former UConn center believes Huskies coach Dan Hurley “eventually” will join him in the professional ranks.
Hurley turned down a six-year, $70 million offer from the Lakers earlier this month to stay in Storrs for the chance to win a third consecutive NCAA championship.
“I knew he wasn’t going to leave,” Clingan said Tuesday at the NBA’s media availability in Midtown. “I knew he was going to stay, I knew how much he loved UConn. I knew how much UConn meant to him.
“Obviously, he had to look at the opportunity. It’s a great opportunity for him. I know he’ll eventually want to go to the NBA. He’ll never leave UConn to go to another college, but UConn’s home for him and I know he’s going to give everything he’s got to go for three in a row.”
Former UConn guard Stephon Castle — like Clingan, also a projected lottery pick — also “didn’t really think” Hurley would take the Lakers gig.
“It’s hard to walk away from such a great program at the highest point right now,” Castle said. “But for his future, I’m not sure whether he wants to coach in the NBA or not. I know he has the ability to, I know he can coach any group of guys.”
USC guard Isaiah Collier was a freshman guard on the Trojans alongside teammate Bronny James last season.
LeBron’s son’s draft destination will offer some intrigue.
Bronny averaged only 4.8 points in 25 games after coming back from a cardiac arrest episode last summer.
“He’s gonna be real good,” Collier said. “People don’t really see it because … imagine going through that type of situation. It’s hard to come back from that. I’m proud of him for going through that situation and bouncing back, and then to see who he is today. Whoever gets him is gonna be good.”
Asked if he believes the younger James will be drafted by the Lakers, Collier smiled and added: “I don’t know. I don’t make those decisions.”
