Donovan Clingan He subtly covered his head as he passed a booby-trapped teddy bear and entered the teens’ center Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Tuesday afternoon, ready to brighten the day for the handful of kids that waited inside.
Of course, the college basketball national champion’s first stop was to meet the kid in Stephen Curry’s blue jersey playing a pop-a-shot. They exchanged handshakes as Lequon McNeil, a 12-year-old from Bridgeport, sighed to himself, “Man, I wish I was that tall.”
It was the second time Clingan, the 7-foot-2 UConn center, played a role in brightening the day of McNeil, who was unable to watch the national championship game live.
“My grandfather told me they won the championship,” McNeil said. “And I got really excited, because this is my college.”
McNeil is a member of the “Kings Kids” 6th grade basketball team across Bridgeport Boys and Girls Club. Plays the power forward position.
“He’s really tall — I mean, I play basketball. I’m the tallest on my team, so I kind of know the feeling,” McNeil said, adding, “I want to play at UConn.”
Keen to strike up a conversation with McNeil, who sat in his wheelchair fascinated by the towering future NBA player, Clingan made his way around the room.
After spending about a half hour in the teen center, signing autographs, taking pictures, and having conversation with any kid he could, Clingan once again stuck his head under the doorframe and proceeded to walk down the hallway, visiting more kids in their rooms.
“It means a lot to see some smiles on these kids’ faces, bringing joy into their day,” Clingan said. “Making people happy is something I have always tried to do and seeing these kids, what they go through and the struggle they face, just giving them a little something in their day to cheer them up and put a smile on their faces means a lot to me.”
Donovan Clingan celebrates the day for some babies at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital pic.twitter.com/HLZU3EPSTh
– Joe Arruda (@joearruda9) April 25, 2023
Clingan was there in partnership with Dunkin’, which worked with other UConn men’s basketball players Including Jordan Hawkins. The company called to ask if he’d like to hang out with the kids and also promote Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day on May 23, which helps support programs for hospitalized children and their families, including at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital. His answer was categorical. “I’d love to do that,” he said.
Outside the building, Dunkin had set up a truck and workers were handing out free coffee to hospital staff. Inside, a five-year-old crouched on the floor to pet one of the “Dunkin’ Dogs” in the residence who joined the party to add to the joy.
Through its partnership with the hospital, Dunkin’ Yale New Haven has provided more than $630,000 in support.
“Don’t you just bring tears to your eyes?” said Cynthia Sparere, executive director of Children’s Hospital. “I mean, it’s very heart-warming. First of all, the pride we all feel in what UConn has accomplished and what the team has accomplished, and for a guy like that to come along and take the time of his life to be here and give something back in this way is very special. It’s Connecticut pride and we’re thrilled. Be with us today to celebrate.
“Children don’t stop being kids just because they’re sick, and that’s all there is to it.”
Clingan is another on the list of celebrities who have come to hang out with kids. The question of the day was, of course, “How tall are you?” But one kid sat on the seventh floor as if he’d just gotten a one-on-one exclusive in prime time.
“When you walk into a room and you look like the star of the room, how do you feel?” she asked.
At that moment, the 19-year-old from Bristol who claims his famous nickname “Cling Kong” humbly sat down. His voice calmed down and answered the question from a distance. The kid smiled, Clingan stood up and tossed a pop-up ball toward the right flank while young Steph Curry fan flipped one through the net on the left.
“If I could be here all the time, I would,” Clingan said. “Just trying to keep kids positive, it means a lot to me.”