Houston Rockets Get 2-Time NCAA Champion as Perfect Alperen Sengun Backup in Latest Mock Draft

When Alperen Sengun went down with a leg injury, the Houston Rockets were without a bona fide starting center. Although they were able to win 11 consecutive games with him sidelined, the team eventually faltered down the stretch and missed out on the play-in tournament.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman recently released his mock draft and suggested that the Houston Rockets get UConn Huskies standout Donovan Clingan to address their needs.

“Early lottery teams eyeing centers may have trouble talking themselves into Donovan Clingan, even if his defense feels like one of the surest bets in the draft,” wrote Wasserman.

“Given Clingan’s size, strength, length, and effectiveness at the college level, teams should ultimately feel they can bank on his rim protection, which could hold extra weight in a draft lacking offensive star power,” he concluded.

Houston Rockets can draft Donovan Clingan using the No. 9 pick

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Houston Rockets take Donovan Clingan if he is available after the first eight picks of the 2024 NBA Draft because of his huge upside on the defensive end.

Listed at 7’2″ and 280 pounds, the 20-year-old emerged as one of the best interior defenders in the NCAA and has drawn comparisons with Rudy Gobert, who is, by the way, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year award-winner.

The only knock on Clingan is his lack of perimeter skills a la Victor Wembanyama or Chet Holmgren. The closest comps for the UConn product besides Rudy Gobert are Walker Kessler, Mark Williams, Dereck Lively II, and Jalen Duren.