UConn’s Clingan, Newton, Castle work ‘shifts’ at Raising Canes in Enfield

ENFIELD, CT (WFSB) - Three NCAA Tournament champions traded their chips for chicken on Thursday.

University of Connecticut men’s basketball players Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton, and Stephon Castle picked up “celebratory shifts” at the new Raising Cane’s location in Enfield.

They were there from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Imagine pulling up to the drive through, the window opens and it’s 7′ 2″ sensation Donovan Clingan.

A dream for kids, and reality for these Berlin boys.

“I love UConn and I love watching basketball. Everything about it. He’s one of my favorite players so it’s nice,” said Jude Senah of Berlin.

‘Cling Kong’ can do it all: work the drive thru, sign a basketball, a phone case and fit through the window.

“I don’t really use this ball anymore and it was worth a shot and it worked so,” said Colin Lennehan of Berlin.

Inside, star guards Tristen Newton and Stephon Castle took orders and worked the register.

Passionate fans were there before the sun came up.

“We really wanted to be here first in line to meet the champions and we’re just excited because it was a great season and another win for us,” said Michelle Caronna of Windsor Locks.

The trio inked an NIL deal with Raising Canes. That means shooting some commercials.

If the NBA doesn’t work out, they may have a fallback: acting.

They got a quick glimpse at life in the fast-food industry.

“It’s real special to be able interact with the fans and give them something special to remember forever,” said Donovan Clingan.

“I always wonder what they go through day in and day out,” Newton told Channel 3. “They go through more than what I did just now. Much respect for it.”

But Clingan and Castle have a decision to make, and soon. Stay at school or go pro.

They have already won a championship. Clingan’s got two. Is it time to go?

“It’s hard to say bye to a school like this. Coming off back-to-back titles you love it you want to keep competing and keep winning. In my head it’s just hard to step away from that,” Clingan said.

“I haven’t made any decisions yet still a lot of talks to go through, but I will probably be making that decision sometime soon,” said Castle.

Clingan and Newton were part of both national championship runs.

Newton was named the 2024 tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and had his name put up with the Huskies of Honor at Gampel Pavilion on the Storrs campus.

Castle tied Big East and NBA great Carmelo Anthony for having the most “freshman of the week” awards this season.

UConn defeated Purdue 75-60 on Monday night to earn its sixth overall national title.

It will be an interesting couple of weeks.

The deadline to enter the draft is April 27.

Forward Alex Karaban also has a decision to make.

Raising Cane’s opened in Enfield in February. It was its first location in Connecticut.

It was so popular when it opened that Enfield police had to hire officers to help ease traffic in the area.