Nique Clifford NBA Draft Profile

The 2025 NBA Draft will be an important event for teams to build for their future. Here is the Nique Clifford NBA Draft Profile.

Nique Clifford Background

Position: Forward

Size: 6-foot-5.25,  202 pounds

Class: Senior

College/Country: Colorado State

2024-2025 stats: 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds,  4.4 assists, 1.2 steals,  0.6 blocks, 49.6% FG, 37.7% 3FG, 77.7% FT

Clifford was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020 who signed with Colorado to stay in-state. He played three seasons for the Buffaloes, averaging single-digit points during his time in Boulder. Following the 2022-2023 season, he transferred to Colorado State. In his first season for the Rams, he put up 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He helped the Rams make the 2024 NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the first round. This past season, he took a huge leap forward, averaging 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He led the team back to the NCAA Tournament and helped them win a game before getting knocked out.

Following the NCAA Tournament, Clifford declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. He is currently projected to be a late first or early second round pick.

Nique Clifford Strengths

During his time in college, Clifford really developed as a scorer. He can score in a variety of ways. Clifford can drive to the basket and finish through contact. He has a good mid-range game and can get shots off fading away from coverage. His 3-point shot is solid, as he shot 37.7 percent from deep. He also shots a good, 77.7 percent from the free throw line.  

Especially for his position, Clifford is a great rebounder. He boxes out well, then tracks the ball in the air to thelp him high point the ball. Clifford has experience out-rebounding bigger players, using both his effort and athleticism to win. Most of his rebounds come from the defensive end, but he can give some second chances with offensive rebounds. 

Clifford excelled at making plays for others with the ball in his hands. He can operate the pick and roll well, finding the open man to give teammates open looks. Clifford played on-ball a lot during his last two seasons in college and he showed good floor vision and a knack for making clean passes, especially when the floor is adequately spaced. 

Nique Clifford Weaknesses

Clifford has solid ball-handling skills that were developed over time, but he can continue improving in this area. He can turn the ball over a little bit and doesn’t have the best left-hand when driving to the basket. Clifford can also work on creating more space for himself with his shot, as a lot of the time he took contested shots off the dribble at Colorado State. 

He improved his 3-point shot over his time in college, but can work on a few things to continue that improvement. Clifford is a streaky shooter and can work on being more consistent. He also can work at shooting off the catch better, as he is more efficient off the dribble, but may not be on the ball as much in the NBA. 

Clifford is one of the older prospects in the draft, as he is 23 years old. It took time for him develop in college, but he will have to work at providing an impact earlier in his NBA career or he could be passed over for younger prospects who have more time to develop. Clifford has a good game, but won’t be given much time to develop. 

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round Pick-Early Second Round Pick  

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