How high will Nique Clifford go in NBA draft? Final mock draft projections for CSU star

NBA draft time is nearly here.

It should be a historic first round on June 25 for Colorado State and Nique Clifford.

Clifford has received an invitation to the green room at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. That invite is a sign that he's not only a likely first-round pick, but a potential lottery selection.

So, where will he go? Here are 15 projections on Clifford's landing spot:

Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Nique Clifford (10) passes the ball against the Maryland Terrapins in the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

ESPN

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo project New Orleans to take Clifford with the No. 23 pick, which the Pelicans landed recently in a trade with Indiana.

"Clifford has interest in the teens, beginning with Memphis, with his range running down into the 20s," Woo writes. "He has gotten positive feedback on the workout circuit, viewed as a potential plug-and-play rotation option due to his versatility coming off a strong year at Colorado State."

The Ringer

The Ringer's big board has Clifford as the No. 12 player in the draft, calling him a "mature, well-rounded wing with an ideal physical frame for the modern NBA game."

"Nique seems to enjoy the smaller details that create impact on the defensive end. He’s a solidly built wing, and although you wouldn’t categorize him as a mistake eraser, his high steal and block percentages are the result of his positional savvy," Kyle Mann writes. "He rebounds his position extremely well and finds opportunities to create turnovers — positioning himself to deflect passes, getting a fingertip on an unsuspecting shooter’s release, or making a timely dig at a driver that dislodges the ball."

In Mann's mock draft for the Ringer, he has Clifford going No. 16 to the Orlando Magic (although this has not been updated since a trade put Memphis in the No. 16 spot).

Mar 19, 2024; Dayton, OH, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Nique Clifford (10) controls a rebound in the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Sports Illustrated

"Clifford’s a game-ready piece and a guy who would fit in well with Atlanta, which has collected several versatile, high-feel players to surround Young," Sweeney writes. "The tape from his end-of-season explosion at Colorado State is very compelling."

The Athletic

"Clifford had about as strong a close to the season as any player, leading Colorado State from the middle of the Mountain West in January to the cusp of the Sweet 16 if not for a Derik Queen game-winner as time expired in the second round," Vecenie writes. "From Feb. 8 on, Clifford averaged 21.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, five assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 51% from the field, 47% from 3 and 80% from the line."

Mar 18, 2024; Dayton, OH, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Nique Clifford (10) talks to the media during NCAA Tournament First Four Practice at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports

"Clifford provides a two-way player and good athlete who could evolve into a nice 3-and-D option if the shooting gains he made at Colorado State prove to be sustainable," Finkelstein writes.

Kyle Boone and Gary Parrish both have Clifford at No. 16 to Memphis. Cameron Salerno has Clifford No. 15 to Oklahoma City.

Matt Norlander and David Cobb both have Clifford No. 20 to the Miami Heat (the organization former CSU star Isaiah Stevens is in). Colin Ward-Henninger has Clifford No. 13 to the Atlanta Hawks.

Bleacher Report

Jonathan Wasserman has Clifford going No. 16 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies, with a pick acquired in a trade with Orlando earlier this month.

"A 23-year-old won't be for everyone, but between his age, broad shoulders, shot-making diversity, playmaking IQ, excellent rebounding numbers and experience playing different roles, Clifford should look like an NBA-ready forward with an adaptable game," Wasserman writes.

Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Nique Clifford (10) celebrates after defeating Memphis Tigers at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Clutch Points

"Nique Clifford is the definition of a player who can come in and immediately contribute to a playoff-contending team, and that is because of his versatility," Siegel writes. "Expect teams like the Thunder, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies to show interest in a win-now prospect like Clifford in the middle of the first round."

The Score

"Clifford's versatile skill set and age make him an ideal plug-and-play candidate. The 23-year-old defends multiple positions, creates turnovers at a high rate, and is an elite defensive rebounder," The Score writes. "He took the next step offensively as a fifth-year senior, flashing promise as a pick-and-roll scorer, isolation scorer, and post-up threat."

Feb 15, 2025; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Nique Clifford (10) after a play in the first half against the Wyoming Cowboys at Moby Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

SB Nation

When is the 2025 NBA draft?

Here are dates and times for the NBA draft:

• June 25: First round of NBA draft (6 p.m. Mountain on ABC and ESPN)
• June 26: Second round of NBA draft (6 p.m. Mountain on ESPN)

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How high will Nique Clifford go in NBA draft? Final mock draft projections for CSU star