Note #016: Eric Reibe (Donovan Clingan Connection II)
Former UConn Husky center Eric Reibe has entered the transfer portal after his freshman 2025-26 season, committing to USC for 2026-27.
In 2025-26, Reibe averaged 5.9 PPG and 3.3 RPG in just 13.8 MP/G. He shot an efficient 65.8% (104/158) from the floor in 40 GP.
The only other NCAA Division I men's player, since 1953-54, to average at least 5.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and shoot 65+% from the field (min. 155 FGA) in less than 14 MP/G is UConn's very own:
Donovan Clingan (2022-23) - 6.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 65.5 FG% (112/171),
13.1 MP/G (39 GP)
Clingan was also a freshman when he hit Reibe's numbers.
If we drop the FG% threshold slightly to 64.5%, the only other freshman to meet the criteria is another former Big East center:
Ryan Kalkbrenner (2020-21) - 5.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 64.5 FG% (80/124),
13.8 MP/G (31 GP)
Clingan was selected 7th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, while Kalkbrenner went 34th overall in 2025.
We made another Clingan connection in Note #009, on former Seton Hall and new UConn center Najai Hines.
17.2 PTS/40 MP, 9.5 TRB/40 MP, 2.1 BLK/MP
He shot a particularly efficient 69.0% from 2, hitting on 100/145 FGA's inside the arc.
The five NCAA Division I men's players, since 1953-54, with 17+ PTS/40 MP, 9.5+ TRB/40 MP, and 2+ BLK/40 MP while shooting 69% or better from 2 in their freshman season (min. 30 GP) are:
115-150 2PA
1. Randall Hanke (2004-05) - 17.9 PTS/40 MP, 10.0 TRB/40 MP,
5.7 BLK/40 MP, 72.2 2P% (83/115) in 14.6 MP/G
2. Eric Reibe (2025-26) - 17.2 PTS/40 MP, 9.5 TRB/40 MP,
2.1 BLK/MP, 69.0 2P% (100/145) in 13.8 MP/G
150-360 2PA
3. Braden Huff (2023-24) - 27.8 PTS/40 MP, 10.1 TRB/40 MP,
2.0 BLK/40 MP, 70.1 2P% (115/164) in 13.5 MP/G
4. Chet Holmgren (2021-22) - 21.0 PTS/40 MP, 14.7 TRB/40 MP,
5.4 BLK/40 MP, 73.7 2P% (129/175) in 26.9 MP/G
360+ 2PA
5. Zion Williamson (2018-19) - 30.1 PTS/40 MP, 11.8 TRB/40 MP,
2.4 BLK/40 MP, 74.7 2P% (272-364!) in 30.0 MP/G
The only other freshman in 2025-26 who posted 17+ PTS/40 MP,
9.5+ TRB/40 MP, 2+ BLK/40 MP (min. 30 GP) like Reibe was Fairfield's:
Brandon Benjamin - 18.1 PTS/40 MP, 13.3 TRB/40 MP, 2.0 BLK/40 MP in 31.1 MP/G
FWIW, Benjamin shot 57.3% from 2 (188/328) that season.
Benjamin, like Reibe, went portaling after 2025-26, committing to play for former UConn assistant Luke Murray (who coached Clingan) at Boston College in 2026-27.
Holmgren is gaining steam... Note #002 / Note #009 / Note #013
Statistics via Sports Reference
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