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Nique Clifford Scouting Report

23 years old 200 pounds 6'6" Senior

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Comparisons:

• Desmond Bane - More a developmental comp than a skills comp: Bane was an upperclassman and a late bloomer who kept providing in the NBA.
• Josh Hart - Clifford showed how he can impact winning without scoring well in the tournament.
• Khris Middleton - Best case scenario: Clifford’s jumper keeps ascending and it unlocks his creation skills.

STRENGTHS
Defensive versatility: Clifford is a long, switchable defender who can guard multiple positions. His lateral quickness, wingspan, and motor allow him to stay in front of perimeter players, and also contest shots inside. He is disruptive in passing lanes and competes hard on the glass.

Rebounding: Elite rebounder for a wing who crashes the boards and turns defensive rebounds into fastbreaks. Clifford is only 6-foot-5 but rebounds like a 6-8 dude with his knack for grabbing tough rebounds in traffic.

At-rim finishing: Has the length and body control to finish above or around defenders, whether it’s in a crowded paint in the half court or after rumbling down the floor on the break. And plus, he’s an incredibly active cutter even after giving up the ball, staying locked in and looking for chances to get open in the paint.

Secondary playmaking: Makes smart decisions and plays within the flow of the offense and out of a wide variety of situations, whether he’s running a pick-and-roll himself, posting up, or swinging the ball off a cut. Even if he’s never asked to run much offense, his good handle allows him to operate off-ball at a high level with his ability to attack closeouts and make the right play.

Spot-up shooting: Clifford made 38.3% of catch-and-shoot 3s in his five collegiate seasons, per Synergy, including over 40% in his final year. And he’s more than just a standstill shooter. Colorado State used him off screens and he showed clean footwork, catching and launching with fluidity.

Pull-up shooting: Clifford has improved every year of college as a shooter off the dribble, going from a nonthreat to capable from midrange and the post to a threat from everywhere. He has confidence and fluidity transitioning from his dribble into his shot.

CONCERNS
Level of college competition: Clifford simply lacks the experience against high-level competition playing in the Mountain West. David Roddy also dominated as a Colorado State upperclassman playing a high-usage role, but his skills have not allowed him to stick on an NBA team, as he’s on his fifth team in three seasons.

Age: Clifford will turn 24 during his rookie season, making him quite old for a rookie, and experience is no guarantee for immediate success.

Sam Vecenie wrote:Nique Clifford | 6-5 guard | 23 years old | Colorado State





Clifford had about as strong a close to the season as any player, leading Colorado State from the middle of the Mountain West in January to the cusp of the Sweet 16 if not for a Derik Queen game-winner as time expired in the Round of 32. From Feb. 8 onward, Clifford averaged 21.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, five assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 51 percent from the field, 47 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line.

The Hawks have strategized to build their team around skilled, two-way wings to pair with Young, and Clifford would represent another option there, as well as someone who at least has potential to handle the ball. Given that Caris LeVert is a free agent, Clifford would be a strong selection at this point. Teams are also tracking the Hawks trading up or down from their two selections in the first round.