Tag: Nique Clifford

Four former CU Buffs invited to 2024 NBA draft combine

Colorado will be represented by four former players at this month’s NBA draft combine

Former Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball players Cody Williams, KJ Simpson, Tristan da Silva and Nique Clifford were among the 78 players who received an invitation to the 2024 NBA draft combine on Wednesday.

The week-long showcase, set for May 12-19 in Chicago, allows prospective NBA players another opportunity to display their talents ahead of next month’s draft (June 26-27). Colorado did not have any representatives at last year’s combine.

Following his freshman season with the Buffs, Williams declared for the NBA draft on April 22, cementing himself as a one-and-done college player. The forward averaged 11.9 points last season.

Da Silva officially declared for the draft earlier this week after averaging a career-high 16.0 points as a senior forward.

Simpson’s NBA draft stock rose significantly this past season as the junior point guard led Colorado with 19.7 points per game and was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.

In a move that ultimately boosted his NBA draft stock, Clifford transferred to rival Colorado State before last season. The athletic guard played a key role in helping the Rams reach the NCAA Tournament.

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Colorado to visit CSU Rams, Nique Clifford at Moby Arena in 2023-24

Colorado’s 2023-24 nonconference schedule will feature a trip to Moby Arena

The CU Buffs and CSU Rams are set to square off once again next season on the hardwood. This time, however, the in-state rivalry will move up north to Fort Collins for the home-and-home finale at Moby Arena.

At the CU Events Center last season, the Buffs beat Colorado State, 93-65, with KJ Simpson going off for 27 points. Colorado’s most recent game at Moby also resulted in a 56-48 victory in 2019.

Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award finalist Isaiah Stevens is returning to CSU for a fifth year and the Rams also picked up former Buffs guard Nique Clifford from the transfer portal.

BuffZone’s Pat Rooney additionally confirmed that the Colorado men’s basketball team will host both Towson and Pepperdine as part of its nonconference schedule.

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Former Buffs guard Nique Clifford transfers to Colorado State

ICYMI: Nique Clifford transferred to Colorado State after three seasons in Boulder

Former Colorado men’s basketball guard Nique Clifford has found his new home — and he’ll stay in the state.

On Sunday, Clifford transferred to the Colorado State Rams after playing three seasons for the Buffaloes, becoming a full-time starter midway through his sophomore year. In 2022-2023, Clifford put up 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest over 35 games, including 33 starts.

However, Clifford wasn’t a big factor offensively for the Buffs and one of his reasons for transferring was to try to improve his chances of eventually making the NBA.

Now, Clifford will be taking his talents to Fort Collins in an effort to improve his draft stock.

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Nique Clifford opens up on decision to enter transfer portal

Nique Clifford opened up on his decision to enter the transfer portal

Nique Clifford is one of three Colorado men’s basketball players to enter the transfer portal over the past few days, along with Quincy Allen and Lawson Lovering.

Although Clifford was versatile for the Buffs this season, the junior from Colorado Springs wasn’t a top offensive option.

And, as he told the Colorado Springs Gazette’s Luke Zahlmann, his aspirations to play in the NBA were part of the reason he opted to enter the portal.

“I felt like I had to do what’s best for me and my goals of reaching the NBA,” Clifford told The Gazette. “I didn’t feel like I could achieve that from CU.”

Additionally, mental struggles took a toll on the former Colorado Springs (The Vanguard School) prep star.

“I just felt like I needed a fresh start and a new opportunity,” Clifford told The Gazette. “I wasn’t able to fully be myself at CU, especially this year. (I) dealt with a lot of things mentally this year, on and off the court, so that played a factor.”

With that said, though, Clifford did take some good away from his time in Boulder.

“It was a tough decision but I appreciated my time at CU,” Clifford told The Gazette. “(I) learned a lot, regardless of the struggles.”

Clifford averaged 5.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists this past season for Colorado, and he has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Hopefully, he can find a good fit as he enters the next stage of his college career beyond CU.

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Colorado men’s basketball: Nique Clifford, Quincy Allen enter transfer portal

Nique Clifford and Quincy Allen have joined Lawson Lovering in the transfer portal, per Pat Rooney of BuffZone

Following a season that concluded with a loss to Utah Valley in the NIT on Sunday, a trio of Buffs has opted to enter the transfer portal.

In addition to center Lawson Lovering, forward Nique Clifford and guard Quincy Allen have added their names to the portal as well, according to Pat Rooney of BuffZone.

Allen, a redshirt freshman, averaged 1.6 points and 0.5 rebounds per game over 11 contests this season in a reserve role.

For Clifford, he averaged 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds as a consistent starter in 2022-2023. However, he wasn’t a consistent scoring option in the lineup with Tristan da Silva and KJ Simpson carrying the bulk of the load, so Clifford could go to a program where he would be more of a top option, as he has shown glimpses of being a strong offensive player.

It remains to be seen how head coach Tad Boyle and Colorado will fill Allen’s scholarship spot, but a replacement for Clifford is more clear as five-star recruit Cody Williams will be coming to Boulder next season and he figures to take a starting spot.

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WATCH: Nique Clifford drops the hammer on No. 16 USC

NIQUE. CLIFFORD. HAMMER.

The Colorado Buffaloes and No. 16 USC Trojans met for a massive Thursday night showdown in Boulder.

Prior to the tip, Nique Clifford was inserted into the starting lineup with Elijah Parquet out due to an injury. The 6-foot-6 guard made his presence known in a big way during his first career start.

In the second half, Clifford sparked a huge Buffs’ run with a monster dunk that sent the Events Center into a wild celebration.

Clifford flashed the athleticism in an impressive outing for him, and Tad Boyle should be pleased.

Unfortunately, the Buffs fell to USC, 61-58, but Clifford’s dunk was unreal.

The sophomore from Colorado Springs followed that up with a clutch 3-pointer to extend the Buffs’ run to 10-0 before the Trojans put an end to it.

That run changed things drastically, but the Trojans were soon able to regain the lead for good.

Nonetheless, the dunk by Clifford will be watched on repeat for a long time. He finished the game with just five points but added seven boards and catapulted the Buffs’ huge run in the second half with that hammer.

Here are some more angles:

The Buffs have no time to sit around and wait, as they face the No. 9 UCLA Bruins on Saturday night in another huge game.

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Takeaways from Colorado’s 87-76 win over New Mexico

My five takeaways from Colorado’s second game of the season

We saw a slightly improved performance from the CU Buffs on Saturday in their second game of the season.

While turnovers remain a big problem, we saw a better showing from the freshmen and a dominant overall performance on the boards. Keeshawn Barthelemy led the Buffs in scoring again and Jabari Walker provided a few jaw-dropping moments.

New Mexico isn’t exactly a powerhouse program, but the Buffs took care of business and luckily didn’t need overtime. They’ll have a rest day on Sunday before the Maine Black Bears come to Boulder on Monday.

Here were the five biggest things on my mind when I walked out of the CU Events Center.

Nebraska cruises past Colorado in final preseason exhibition

Nebraska beat Colorado in a preseason exhibition

Thankfully, that was just an exhibition.

The Colorado men’s basketball team didn’t exactly shine during its final preseason tuneup. Tad Boyle’s Buffs allowed Nebraska to shoot for nearly 50% in an 82-67 stomping of CU on Halloween morning.

“This is exactly what our team needed right now,” Boyle said. “To get smacked in the face like we did and hopefully learn from it, and do something about it as we move forward.”

As the Cornhuskers drained three-pointers with ease, the Buffaloes were just 3-for-19 from deep. But, three sophomores that need to step up in 2021, Luke O’Brien, Nique Clifford and Tristan da Silva, impressed on Sunday. The trio made for 33 of CU’s 67 points and Clifford brought down eight rebounds.

While it’s too early to be concerned, Evan Battey’s 0-for-10 shooting performance wasn’t great. Likewise, Jabari Walker and K.J. Simpson struggled with ball control, which contributed to Nebraska scoring 21 points off turnovers.

“We learned we’ve got a long way to go both offensively and defensively,” Boyle said.

The Buffaloes will have just over a week to correct their mistakes before Montana State opens the regular season on Nov. 9.