Will Nique Clifford End Up Being the Steal of the 2025 NBA Draft?

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After his recent selection to the NBA All-Summer League First Team, everyone is talking about the Sacramento Kings' first-round draft pick, Nique Clifford. The 6-foot-6 guard from Colorado State has emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects from the 2025 class, showcasing his potential during both an exceptional college season and an impressive Summer League debut.

Summer League Excellence Raises Expectations

Clifford's Summer League performance has NBA scouts and analysts buzzing about his potential impact. In six games, the versatile guard averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting an efficient 49.3% from the floor, including a remarkable 45.8% from three-point range.

These numbers represent more than just statistical production – they demonstrate Clifford's ability to translate his college success to the professional level immediately. His All-Summer League First Team selection validates what many draft experts believed: the player selected 24th overall might end up being the biggest steal of his class.

The Foundation of a Complete Player

Clifford should be viewed as a high-floor prospect because he's already a fundamentally sound basketball player. Last season at Colorado State, he posted the 10th-best WAR among all Division I players, showcasing his comprehensive impact on winning basketball.

The beauty of Clifford's game lies in his incredible balance. His Offensive and Defensive VAPR ratings both placed in the top 65 of all Division I players, demonstrating elite two-way capability rarely seen in college prospects. This versatility projects perfectly to the modern NBA, where teams increasingly value players who can contribute on both ends of the floor.

With a 6-8 wingspan, Clifford possesses the size and athleticism to be an immediate positive as a defensive wing. His steal and block rates both ranked in the 61st percentile in the Mountain West Conference, providing evidence of his ability to create turnovers and offer secondary rim protection. Perhaps most impressively, despite being listed as a shooting guard, Clifford finished second in the MWC in defensive rebounding percentage, showing his Josh Hart-like ability to secure possessions.

Offensive Versatility Beyond the 3-and-D Label

While Clifford's defensive prowess and 37.7% three-point shooting last season suggest a traditional 3-and-D role player, his offensive skill set extends far beyond that limiting classification. He led Colorado State in scoring at 18.9 points per game, and crucially, this production didn't come solely through assisted field goals – he also led the team in assists.

Clifford's offensive repertoire features a DeMar DeRozan-like blend of pivots, jabs, and spins that allow him to create his own shot consistently. From these movements, he can efficiently score in the midrange or use his broad frame to power through contact and finish at the rim.

His passing ability is equally impressive, featuring a diverse vocabulary that includes laydown passes after dribble penetration, skip passes to perimeter shooters, and precise threads to cutting teammates. The efficiency metrics support this evaluation – Clifford placed in the 94th percentile in true shooting percentage and 89th percentile in assist rate, proving his effectiveness as both a scorer and creator.

Concerns About Age and Shooting Consistency

The primary concern surrounding Clifford stems from his age and experience level. By the time the 2025-26 NBA season begins, he will be nearly 24 years old, having completed five years of collegiate basketball. While numerous "older" rookies like Jalen Brunson, Draymond Green, and Andrew Nembhard have enjoyed successful NBA careers, age can limit upside potential.

The shooting question represents perhaps the biggest uncertainty in Clifford's projection. While he shot an impressive 37.7% from three on 4.9 attempts per game last season, his track record shows inconsistency. In 2023-24, he managed 37.6% on just three attempts per game, and the previous season saw him struggle to 28.8% on 2.1 attempts per game.

Free throw shooting provides another concerning indicator, as Clifford converted just 72.4% from the line across 366 total attempts over five college seasons. If last season's three-point success was an aberration rather than genuine improvement, his NBA projection changes significantly.

The Jaquez Parallel and Potential Pitfalls

Clifford's profile bears striking similarities to Jaime Jaquez Jr., who earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2023-24 before experiencing a significant sophomore regression. Like Clifford, Jaquez was an older prospect with strong defensive fundamentals, good footwork, and reliable midrange touch.

However, Jaquez's second season saw him fall to the fifth percentile in DELTA (which measures year-over-year improvement), likely because he had already peaked as a player and NBA defenses adapted to his tendencies. This scenario represents a realistic floor for Clifford – valuable in specific situations but potentially limited by athletic constraints.

The worst-case scenario would see Clifford join the ranks of wings like Josh Okogie, who provide defensive value but struggle offensively against NBA-level competition. Such players can contribute during the regular season but often become unplayable in high-stakes playoff situations.

The Ceiling: Jalen Williams Comparisons

The optimistic projection for Clifford involves comparisons to All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, who was similarly overlooked due to age and non-power conference background before becoming the steal of the 2022 NBA Draft. While Williams possesses superior length (7-2 wingspan) and athleticism, their overall skill sets share remarkable similarities.

Both players entered the NBA as versatile two-way contributors who were already polished but undervalued due to circumstantial factors. If Clifford's shooting improvements prove sustainable and his ball-handling skills translate effectively against NBA defenses, he could unlock similar potential as a secondary scorer and playmaker.

The Sacramento Fit and Final Verdict

The Kings selected Clifford at an ideal position to maximize his potential impact. Sacramento needs versatile role players who can contribute immediately while developing alongside their young core. Clifford's combination of defensive reliability, shooting potential, and playmaking ability addresses multiple roster needs.

Based on his Colorado State performance and Summer League excellence, Clifford's floor appears to be that of a solid rotation player who can impact winning in multiple ways. His ceiling, however, could reach the level of a genuine steal – a player who outperforms his draft position and becomes a key contributor for years to come.

The question isn't whether Clifford will be a useful NBA player, but rather how high his ultimate ceiling proves to be. Early returns suggest the Kings may have found exactly the type of value that makes or breaks a franchise's development timeline.

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Thanks to Stats Perform for providing statistical data and photography.

More information:24live.com