Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Dominique Akai “Nique” Clifford developed into a versatile wing by embracing the responsibilities that help teams win, whether that meant defending multiple positions, rebounding, or contributing offensively when needed. His well-rounded game and steady improvement have made him the kind of player coaches trust in a variety of situations.

Player Profile

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Dominique Akai Clifford
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: February 9, 2002
  • Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
  • Weight: 200 pounds (91 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)

Basketball Career:

  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • Jersey Number: 10
  • High School: The Vanguard School (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
  • College:
    • University of Colorado (2020–2023):
      • Played in 82 games, starting in 50.
      • Averaged 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds during his tenure.
      • Participated in one NCAA Tournament and two NIT appearances.
    • Colorado State University (2023–Present):
      • Transferred to Colorado State for the 2023–2024 season.
      • Started all 36 games, leading the team with 7.6 rebounds per game.
      • Recorded nine double-doubles, including one in the NCAA First Four against Virginia.
      • Averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
      • Named Third Team All-Mountain West Conference.

Professional Prospects:

  • NBA Draft: As of January 2025, Clifford has not declared for the NBA Draft.
  • Teams Played For: Currently playing for Colorado State Rams.
  • Championship Rings: None to date.

Personal Life:

  • Children: None
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Nique Clifford projects as a versatile, glue-guy wing who can fill multiple boxes without needing an offense built around him. Defensively, he fits as a competitive multi-position stopper and help defender, bringing strong rebounding from the wing, active hands and enough toughness to handle both guards and forwards in different matchups. Offensively, he looks most comfortable as a secondary creator and play finisher, someone who can attack closeouts, score off straight-line drives, make the extra pass, rebound and push, and space the floor well enough to keep defenses honest. Physically, Clifford has solid NBA wing size at roughly 6-foot-5 to 6-foot-6 and about 200 pounds, with good athletic pop, balance and functional strength that show up in transition, on the glass and around the rim. Put together, his game has a mature, well-rounded feel: not flashy for the sake of it, but efficient, smart and adaptable, which is why he is often viewed as the type of wing who can help a rotation by doing a bit of everything. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Nique Clifford has a knack for making the game feel quieter than it actually is. He rarely forces himself into possessions, but by the end of the night he’s influenced them in dozens of small ways. What stands out is how quickly he recognizes an advantage after the first action. If a defense shifts too far toward the ball, he’s already cutting behind it. If a closeout comes under control, he’ll simply swing the ball and relocate instead of attacking a crowded lane. When defenders get overextended, that’s when he lowers his shoulder, gets two feet in the paint, and finishes through balance rather than explosion. He’s comfortable initiating secondary pick-and-rolls, not because he’s going to break defenders down with flashy handle, but because he keeps his dribble alive long enough for the help defender to commit before slipping a pass to the dunker spot or weak-side corner. Defensively, his anticipation is probably more valuable than his physical tools. He shades driving lanes well, tags rollers without losing complete sight of shooters, and consistently arrives early enough to disrupt possessions before they become rotations. The trade-off is that quicker guards can create separation against him in space, and he isn’t the kind of wing who erases mistakes with overwhelming recovery speed. Even so, he competes with discipline instead of gambling, which keeps defensive structures intact. I’ve always thought players like Clifford fit almost anywhere because they don’t require offensive volume to justify their minutes. His value comes from connecting lineups, covering for higher-usage teammates, making the extra pass one beat earlier than expected, and punishing defenses that forget about him while loading up elsewhere. He makes the simple play, but it’s usually the correct simple play. There are similarities to Josh Hart in the way he fills possessions with rebounds, cuts and connective decisions, while parts of his offensive rhythm resemble Kyle Anderson when operating as a secondary creator who slows the game just enough to expose defensive mistakes rather than trying to outrun them.

NBA.com — 2025 NBA Draft Profile
NBA Draft Room — Nique Clifford
NBA.com — Bleacher Report: New 2025 mock draft eyes upcoming bevy of talent