Colorado University Athletics
Head Coach Tad Boyle
Clifford, O'Brien Sign National Letters Of Intent
November 13, 2019 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER – In-state recruiting has been a primary focus for the University of Colorado men's basketball staff for the past decade. From Josh Scott and Wesley Gordon to current Buffs Dallas Walton, Daylen Kountz and D'Shawn Schwartz, the Centennial State has made a big impression on the program.
Add two more to that list as Dominique Clifford and Luke O'Brien are the next in a long-line of Colorado prep stars staying home. The two all-state guards, signed their National Letters of Intent to attend Colorado and play basketball for the Buffaloes beginning in 2020-21, head coach Tad Boyle announced on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.
"It's a huge honor," O'Brien said. "You hear those guys names and think about what they have done for CU and what they have accomplished. I'm grateful to be in that conversation and ready to go to work to prove I'm just like them."
O'Brien is from Littleton, playing in Colorado's big school 5A class at Columbine. Clifford is from Colorado Springs, becoming its own basketball pipeline to Boulder, playing at the 3A level for The Vanguard School. The two have already established a relationship as teammates with the Colorado Miners club program.
"At one point I did consider going out of state, but as the process went on I began to understand how much I like Colorado and wanted to stay and represent the state," Clifford said. "It's special to me, and Luke, playing as in-state kids and how much love we're getting for that."
A First Team All-State selection in 2018-19, Clifford averaged 18.9 points and 11.3 rebounds as a junior, leading his team to the Colorado Class 3A state championship game.
"It's been a really cool experience, I never expected to blow up like I did," Clifford said. "I worked hard for it. It's really been a special experience and am super excited to get to CU. Of course I have some business to take care of here winning a state championship for Vanguard, but I can't be more excited. I'm so ready to get there, get stronger, and ready to play the best of the best."
Clifford grew five inches between his sophomore and junior seasons – from 6-0 to 6-5. He is ranked as the top player in the state of Colorado and the 39th best shooting guard in the country by 247Sports. Rivals tabs him as a three-star guard and the 44th best shooting guard.
"(Dominique) is a guy who has just kind of broken onto the scene," Boyle said. "He was at our elite camp as a junior and he wasn't even in the big boy's gym. But he was 6-0 and now he's 6-4 or 6-5; he's really sprouted up. His game keeps evolving. He can shoot it; he's very athletic. He's going to be a really, really good player."
O'Brien was the JeffCo League's leading scorer at 21.6 points per game as a junior, helping the Rebels to an undefeated conference season.
"I really clicked with staff (at Colorado)," O'Brien said. "I got off to a great start with them, then on my visit I got to know the players. I like how they play, we really clicked. I like how I'll be able to be play with all these guys; they're all still pretty young. It's a great fit and I really like what coach Boyle is doing up there, changing everything about CU basketball. It's going to be fun. Really pumped to be officially signed, and to say I'm officially a Buff."
A Class 5A First Team All-State selection as a junior, O'Brien averaged eight rebounds, three assists and nearly two blocks per game, as the Rebels advanced to the second round of the state tournament.
"Luke O'Brien's has been committed now for a year and a half, seems like forever, kind of grew up wanting to be a Buff," Boyle said. "He's a good player, versatile, - 6-7 almost 6-8 now - can shoot the ball, he can dribble the ball and he can play multiple positions on offense. I think he's going to eventually be able to guard multiple positions."
Barring any unexpected attrition, the addition of O'Brien and Clifford would give the Buffaloes seven student-athletes – five on scholarship – from the state of Colorado on the 2020-21 roster.
"It's another step in the process of kind of putting a border around your state," Boyle said. "We can't sign everybody in Colorado, but you got to get the ones that you think can help compete for Pac 12 championships have the opportunity to be good players in our league. I think both Luke and Dominique fit that mold."
Add two more to that list as Dominique Clifford and Luke O'Brien are the next in a long-line of Colorado prep stars staying home. The two all-state guards, signed their National Letters of Intent to attend Colorado and play basketball for the Buffaloes beginning in 2020-21, head coach Tad Boyle announced on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.
"It's a huge honor," O'Brien said. "You hear those guys names and think about what they have done for CU and what they have accomplished. I'm grateful to be in that conversation and ready to go to work to prove I'm just like them."
O'Brien is from Littleton, playing in Colorado's big school 5A class at Columbine. Clifford is from Colorado Springs, becoming its own basketball pipeline to Boulder, playing at the 3A level for The Vanguard School. The two have already established a relationship as teammates with the Colorado Miners club program.
"At one point I did consider going out of state, but as the process went on I began to understand how much I like Colorado and wanted to stay and represent the state," Clifford said. "It's special to me, and Luke, playing as in-state kids and how much love we're getting for that."
A First Team All-State selection in 2018-19, Clifford averaged 18.9 points and 11.3 rebounds as a junior, leading his team to the Colorado Class 3A state championship game.
"It's been a really cool experience, I never expected to blow up like I did," Clifford said. "I worked hard for it. It's really been a special experience and am super excited to get to CU. Of course I have some business to take care of here winning a state championship for Vanguard, but I can't be more excited. I'm so ready to get there, get stronger, and ready to play the best of the best."
Clifford grew five inches between his sophomore and junior seasons – from 6-0 to 6-5. He is ranked as the top player in the state of Colorado and the 39th best shooting guard in the country by 247Sports. Rivals tabs him as a three-star guard and the 44th best shooting guard.
"(Dominique) is a guy who has just kind of broken onto the scene," Boyle said. "He was at our elite camp as a junior and he wasn't even in the big boy's gym. But he was 6-0 and now he's 6-4 or 6-5; he's really sprouted up. His game keeps evolving. He can shoot it; he's very athletic. He's going to be a really, really good player."
O'Brien was the JeffCo League's leading scorer at 21.6 points per game as a junior, helping the Rebels to an undefeated conference season.
"I really clicked with staff (at Colorado)," O'Brien said. "I got off to a great start with them, then on my visit I got to know the players. I like how they play, we really clicked. I like how I'll be able to be play with all these guys; they're all still pretty young. It's a great fit and I really like what coach Boyle is doing up there, changing everything about CU basketball. It's going to be fun. Really pumped to be officially signed, and to say I'm officially a Buff."
A Class 5A First Team All-State selection as a junior, O'Brien averaged eight rebounds, three assists and nearly two blocks per game, as the Rebels advanced to the second round of the state tournament.
"Luke O'Brien's has been committed now for a year and a half, seems like forever, kind of grew up wanting to be a Buff," Boyle said. "He's a good player, versatile, - 6-7 almost 6-8 now - can shoot the ball, he can dribble the ball and he can play multiple positions on offense. I think he's going to eventually be able to guard multiple positions."
Barring any unexpected attrition, the addition of O'Brien and Clifford would give the Buffaloes seven student-athletes – five on scholarship – from the state of Colorado on the 2020-21 roster.
"It's another step in the process of kind of putting a border around your state," Boyle said. "We can't sign everybody in Colorado, but you got to get the ones that you think can help compete for Pac 12 championships have the opportunity to be good players in our league. I think both Luke and Dominique fit that mold."
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