Nique Clifford
G, Colorado State · 2025 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #24 (OKC)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
The 2025 class is only 1 season in, so this verdict can still change a lot.
- Availability
Played 79 games over 2 NBA seasons (~48% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #20 (#11 at his position), close to where he went (#24).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
23.4 years old on draft night (born 2002-02-09).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.6% of the time (138 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Colorado State.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
G (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (499 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numberslive
| Seasons | 2 |
| Games | 79 |
| Minutes / game | 24.7 |
| Points / game | 8.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.7 |
| Assists / game | 2.4 |
| Win Shares (career) | -0.6 |
| VORP | -1.5 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -4.9 |
| 2026-27 so far | 2 GP, 3 PPG (ESPN) |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2025 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2025 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age 23 or older | 48.6% n=138 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Guard | 48.9% n=499 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 5.25", 202 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 23.4 |
| Born | 2002-02-09 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #20 overall (#11 G) |
Picked around him 2025 redraft
| 21 | Will Riley | redraft #33 |
| 22 | Drake Powell | redraft #47 |
| 23 | Asa Newell | redraft #21 |
| 25 | Jase Richardson | redraft #22 |
| 26 | Ben Saraf | redraft #54 |
| 27 | Danny Wolf | redraft #26 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.