Nique Clifford

Photo by: Joel Broida

Photo by: Tony Harman

Photo by: Joel Broida

Position:
Guard
Height:
6-6
Weight:
191
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Colorado Springs, Colo.
High School:
The Vanguard School
Major:
Communication (Leadership Studies Minor)

2022-23 (Junior): Averaged 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds and was one of just four Buffaloes to appear in all 35 games. Ranked second on the team in blocks (20), third in assists (52) and fourth in steals (25). Established a career-high in points with 17 at Oregon (1/26) hitting 7 of 11 from the field including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. Along with matching his personal best with seven shots made against the Ducks, he also equaled his career-high with three steals. Logged his first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the home win over Utah (3/4).

2021-22 (Sophomore): Averaged 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. Tied Jabari Walker for the team lead in blocked shots (22). He ranked 13th in the Pac-12 in blocked shots during conference games (0.9 bpg). Played in all 33 games, starting the final 17. Shot 48 percent during the Pac-12 regular season schedule including 17 of 37 from the 3-point arc (.459). Scored in double-figures eight times including a career-best 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting in the home win over Oregon State (2/5). Four of those eight double-figure efforts came in a five-game span that began with that home Oregon State win. Had 14 points along with seven rebounds in the rematch in Corvallis 10 days later. Scored 11 points with a career-best nine rebounds in the season-opener against Montana State (11/9). Matched that 9-rebound effort two weeks later in the win over Brown (11/22) at the Paradise Jam. Co-winner of team’s Most Improved Player Award.

2020-21 (Freshman): Played in 14 games on CU's senior-laden squad, totaling 14 points, five steals and five assists in limited minutes (4.0 mpg). Saw action in both NCAA Tournament games, hitting a 3-pointer in the first round win over Georgetown (3/20). Scored a season-high five points in the win over Omaha (12/16). Grabbed his first three career rebounds and had a personal-best four free throws made in the home win over Oregon State (2/8). Scored his first collegiate bucket at No. 12/16 Tennessee (12/8). Played in the first six contests, logging a season-best nine minutes at Kansas State.

High School: A 2020 graduate of The Vanguard School. Colorado’s 2020 Gatorade State Player of the Year, he averaged 26.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.8 blocks, leading Vanguard to a 22-3 record and an appearance in the Class 3A “Great 8.” A two-time All-State First Team pick, he led Vanguard to the Class 3A State Championship game as a junior, averaging 18.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. A two-time all-conference selection, he helped Vanguard to three-straight district tournament titles. A member of Vanguard’s 1,000-point club. He was ranked the top player in Colorado, a four-star recruit and the No. 92 overall prospect in 247Sports’ Final 2020 national recruiting rankings. Rivals tabbed him as a four-star guard and the 29th best shooting guard. Played two years for the Colorado Miners club program.

Academics: An Communication major at Colorado with a Leadership minor. A member of the Honor Roll in high school while receiving Citizenship and Student-Athlete Awards.

Personal: Born Feb. 9, 2002, in Colorado Springs. Full first name is Dominique. He is the only child of Akai and Angelique Clifford. Had a five-inch growth spurt between his sophomore and junior years of high school – from 6-0 to 6-5. Enjoys basketball, video games and playing other sports like ping pong. Has a desire to help children, volunteering his time at hospitals, with Teen Court and kids basketball camps. Chose Colorado over Stanford, Wyoming and Colorado State in part “I loved the opportunity it presented on the court and off the court. I loved coach Boyle’s vision for me and the program as well as the school having top tier academics. It’s also just beautiful here in Boulder.” Lists the biggest moment of his prep career as “either playing in the craziest state championship game where I was Tournament MVP even though we lost or dropping 36 points and 15 rebounds against a Top 3 Class 4A team, which is one level bigger than my school, in front of coach Boyle.”