Greg Oden, Marcus Camby, Joel Przybilla, JJ Hickson, Robin Lopez, Mason Plumlee, Jusuf Nurkic, Hassan Whiteside and Deandre Ayton have served as Portland Trail Blazers starting centers over the past two decades. Each one contributed to the Blazers in their own unique way with varying levels of effectiveness.

Donovan Clingan has joined that club this season following the buyout of Ayton in late June. The 7’2 behemoth was taken out of UConn with the seventh pick in the 2024 NBA Draft following two NCAA titles. His first season earned a passing grade following his addition to the All-Rookie Second Team honors in what was an admittedly subpar rookie class.

At season’s end, he’d played 67 games, including 37 starts, delivering 6.5 points on 54 percent from the field with 8 boards. He produced

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