Nique Clifford

Last updated
Nique Clifford
No. 5–Sacramento Kings
Position Shooting guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2002-02-09) February 9, 2002 (age 23)
Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school The Vanguard School
(Colorado Springs, Colorado)
College
NBA draft 2025: 1st round, 24th overall pick
Drafted by Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing career2025–present
Career history
2025–present Sacramento Kings
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Dominique Akai Clifford (born February 9, 2002) is an American basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Colorado State Rams of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) as well as the Colorado Buffaloes.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Clifford grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado and attended The Vanguard School. [1] He was named the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 26.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.5 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game. [2] Clifford committed to play college basketball for Colorado over offers from Stanford, Denver, Northern Colorado, Colorado State, and Wyoming. [3]

College career

Clifford began his college career playing for the Colorado Buffaloes. [4] He averaged 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds during his sophomore season. [5] As a junior, Clifford played in 35 games with 33 starts and averaged 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. [6] After the season, Clifford entered the NCAA transfer portal. [7]

Clifford transferred to Colorado State. [8] He averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and three assists and was named third-team All-Mountain West Conference in his first season with the Rams. [9]

In his final year of eligibility, Clifford was named first-team and defensive team All-Mountain West. [10] On March 7, 2025, Clifford scored a career-high 36 points in a 83-73 victory against the Boise State Broncos in his final regular season game. [11] On March 15, 2025, Clifford was named the 2025 Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament MVP after he led the Rams with 24 points against Boise State Broncos in the championship game. [12]

Professional career

Sacramento Kings (2025–present)

Clifford was selected with the twenty-fourth pick in the 2025 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings after they completed a draft-day trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire the pick. [13]

References

  1. ↑ Klee, Paul (January 13, 2020). "Vanguard School's Nique Clifford grew into role as Colorado's star basketball prospect". The Gazette . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Nguyen, Joe (March 26, 2020). "Vanguard's Dominique Clifford named Gatorade Colorado boys basketball player of the year". The Denver Post . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  3. ↑ Smith, Lindsey (September 20, 2019). "Vanguard's Nique Clifford commits to University of Colorado basketball". The Gazette . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  4. ↑ Rooney, Pat (June 11, 2021). "Adjusting to bench life a season-long learning experience for CU Buffs' Nique Clifford". The Denver Post . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ Rooney, Pat (November 29, 2023). "Game day notes: Nique Clifford awaits old teammates in huge CU-CSU showdown". Longmont Daily Times-Call . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Rooney, Pat (March 20, 2024). "Former CU Buff Nique Clifford continues bounce-back season for CSU Rams". Longmont Daily Times-Call . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ Zahlmann, Luke (March 24, 2023). "CU Buffs' Nique Clifford says chase for NBA dream played large role in transfer portal decision". The Gazette . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ Lytle, Kevin (April 23, 2023). "Colorado basketball transfer Nique Clifford to transfer to Colorado State". Fort Collins Coloradoan . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ Lytle, Kevin (May 30, 2024). "Nique Clifford withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Colorado State men's basketball team". Fort Collins Coloradoan . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Mountain West Announces 2024-25 Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams". Mountain West Conference . March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Epic Nique Clifford performance leads Colorado State basketball to huge win at Boise State". Fort Collins Coloradoan . March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Clifford scores 24, Colorado State hits record 12 3s to beat Boise State 69-56 in MWC Championship". Associated Press . March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  13. ↑ Almeida, Isa. "OKC Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Sacramento Kings in 2025 NBA Draft". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
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