Note #009: Najai Hines (Donovan Clingan Connection)
Former Seton Hall big man Najai Hines entered the transfer portal after his freshman 2025-26 season with the Pirates, committing to UConn for 2026-27.
In 2025-26, Hines averaged 6.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 BPG in 18.0 MP/G, translating to 14.3 PTS/40 MP, 12.2 TRB/40 MP, 4.9 BLK/40 MP. He also shot 60.2% from the floor (80/133).
Since 1953-54, only one other Big East men's basketball player averaged at least 14 PTS/40 MP, 12 TRB/40 MP, 4.5 BLK/40 MP on 60+% shooting as a freshman (min. 30 GP):
UConn's Donovan Clingan (2022-23) - 21.1 PTS/40 MP, 17.1 TRB/40 MP, 5.5 BLK/40 MP, 65.5 FG% (112/171)
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Since 1953-54, four NCAA Division I men's players besides Hines and Clingan also met the same criteria above as freshmen (min. 130 FGA and 30 GP):
Sorted by FGA (descending)
1. Anthony Davis (2011-12) - 17.7 PTS/40 MP, 13.0 TRB/40 MP,
5.8 BLK/40 MP, 62.3 FG% (210/337)
2. Greg Oden (2006-07) - 21.7 PTS/40 MP, 13.2 TRB/40 MP,
4.5 BLK/40 MP, 61.6 FG% (189/307)
3. Chet Holmgren (2021-22) - 21.0 PTS/40 MP, 14.7 TRB/40 MP,
5.4 BLK/40 MP, 60.7 FG% (170/280)
4. Tyrus Thomas (2005-06) - 19.1 PTS/40 MP, 14.2 TRB/40 MP,
4.8 BLK/40 MP, 60.8 FG% (152/250)
If we lower the qualifying FGA slightly to 125+, also enters:
Tacko Fall (2015-16) - 16.7 PTS/40 MP, 13.3 TRB/40 MP, 5.3 BLK/40 MP, 75.0 FG% (96/128)
We also reference Davis, Holmgren, and Oden in Note #002, highlighting Flory Bidunga's massive 2025-26 sophomore season.
Sorted by FGA (descending)
1. Anthony Davis (2011-12) - 17.7 PTS/40 MP, 13.0 TRB/40 MP,
5.8 BLK/40 MP, 62.3 FG% (210/337)
2. Greg Oden (2006-07) - 21.7 PTS/40 MP, 13.2 TRB/40 MP,
4.5 BLK/40 MP, 61.6 FG% (189/307)
3. Chet Holmgren (2021-22) - 21.0 PTS/40 MP, 14.7 TRB/40 MP,
5.4 BLK/40 MP, 60.7 FG% (170/280)
4. Tyrus Thomas (2005-06) - 19.1 PTS/40 MP, 14.2 TRB/40 MP,
4.8 BLK/40 MP, 60.8 FG% (152/250)
If we lower the qualifying FGA slightly to 125+, also enters:
Tacko Fall (2015-16) - 16.7 PTS/40 MP, 13.3 TRB/40 MP, 5.3 BLK/40 MP, 75.0 FG% (96/128)
We also reference Davis, Holmgren, and Oden in Note #002, highlighting Flory Bidunga's massive 2025-26 sophomore season.
Statistics via Sports Reference
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