SACRAMENTO – Nique Clifford’s versatility on both ends of the court and his ability to play multiple positions were primary factors behind the Kings’ decision to trade into the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft to select the 6-foot-5 guard with the No. 24 overall pick.
That includes running the offense as a point guard, not necessarily the position Sacramento drafted Clifford to play, but one they might have to use him at out of sheer necessity.
With free agency looming around the corner, the Kings still have a pressing need to find a full-time point guard. Veteran Dennis Schroder reportedly intends to sign a three-year, $45 million contract with Sacramento. Though the deal can’t be made official until Sunday, during Thursday’s press conference at Golden 1 Center, Clifford unknowingly made it sound like a deal between the sides is done.
Regardless, Sacramento’s newest prized rookie says he’s more than willing to play the point if that’s what is necessary.
“Whatever my role is, whatever coach sees me as and throws me into, I feel like I can go do it at a high level,” Clifford said Thursday during his introductory press conference at Golden 1 Center. “I want to contribute to winning, that’s my ultimate goal. Whatever that looks like, [I] just have to approach every single day as an opportunity to get better and learn from all of the knowledge and guys I have around me.”
Clifford played point guard for much of his early years in basketball before, according to his mother Angel, he underwent a growth spurt that altered how teams used him.
At Colorado State, Clifford polished his skills while developing into one of the country’s top two-way players.
He was the nation’s 13th-best rebounder last season, averaging 9.6 boards a game despite often being out-sized in the paint by 4-5 inches. Offensively, Clifford put up averages of 18.9 points and 4.4 assists.
“Nique is a very talented and versatile basketball player. That’s what attracted us to him,” First-year Kings general manager Scott Perry said. “He can play multiple positions in this game on the perimeter, not only on the offensive end, but he gives you that defensive versatility too. We really believe he’s going to be able to match up just about anywhere on the perimeter from a defensive standpoint.
“He has improved each year that he’s been in college basketball. That is an important trait that we look for when we evaluate talent coming out of (the) collegiate ranks.”
Clifford and the Kings’ 2025 second-round draft pick, center Maxime Raynaud, were formally introduced during Thursday’s press conference. The event was attended by friends and family members of the two newcomers, along with several team employees who frequently cheered and made the event more light-hearted.
Beyond the iced-out “Clifford the Big Red Dog” pendant that dangled from his neck, Clifford seemed to be in a more serious mood.
He might even have tipped the Kings’ plans for the upcoming free agency period.
“Just excited for the opportunity to learn from even guys coming in, like Dennis Schroeder and different teammates that I’m going to have,” Clifford said. “I’m going to be able to learn from those guys and get more comfortable in every position.
“It’s just finding my way, finding any way, to impact the game, whether that’s defense, rebounding, knocking down shots when I get them. Just trying to be impactful every time I step on the court.”
Even if he has to play point guard every now and then.
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