How CU transfer Nique Clifford became a star for top-25 Colorado State basketball team
Ali Farokhmanesh said it felt like a breakup the first time Nique Clifford called and said no to the Rams.
That was several years ago when Clifford was a four-star recruit and the best player in Colorado high school ball in 2020.
The Rams recruited Clifford hard, but he opted for rival Colorado, which led to the "breakup" call with Colorado State's coaches. Three years later, he entered the transfer portal and the recruitment started again.
It had seemed to be positive, but the CSU men’s basketball assistant coach started getting a bad feeling on a phone call with Clifford.
“He made it sound like a breakup at first. He played with my emotions right away. We’re talking for like 10 minutes on the phone. We’re just talking about life and then I thought we were just going to talk. Then he goes ‘well Coach, I appreciate everything.’ As soon as you go to the ‘I appreciate everything,’ I thought it was coming,” Farokhmanesh said.
“But then he said, ‘I want to be a Ram.’ We almost didn’t take the commitment,” he added with a laugh.
It was a huge win for CSU and Clifford. The 6-foot-6 wing who starred at The Vanguard School in Colorado Springs brought a versatility on both ends and athleticism CSU desperately needed.
On the other side, CSU was a fresh start for Clifford. He played in 82 games and started 50 over three years at CU, including playing in an NCAA Tournament and two NIT's. But he was in a system that didn’t showcase his offensive skill set, and he slumped to 5.9 points per game on 37% shooting last season.
Clifford said Farokhmanesh called him as he was walking to his car after filing the paperwork to transfer, likely 2 minutes after his name hit the portal. He needed a system where he could shine, and he found a staff he connected with.
CSU’s offense is annually in the top 25 in the country with high ball movement, motion and open shots, especially with Isaiah Stevens running the point.
The early summer was about learning the new offense, but once he did it felt like home.
“It just clicked for me right away. I had to learn the offense, of course, and it took some time to get the terminology and stuff that we do over here, but once I adjusted, it was super easy. It’s a fun offense to be part of and just the program itself, I’m super grateful for it,” Clifford said.
“It was just a match made in heaven. It worked out perfectly.”
The results are staggering. Clifford is averaging 13.9 points (second on the team), 6.3 rebounds (first) and 2.4 assists (second) per game. He’s shooting an astonishing 60.3% overall, 53% on 3-pointers (up from 28.8% last season) and 86% on free throws.
He’s one of CSU’s top defenders and an explosive offensive force.
A stat to illustrate his athletic impact: CSU had 20 dunks as a team last season in 33 games, per BartTorvik. Clifford has 13 himself so far with the Rams just 18 games into the season.
“Biggest thing was he showed up and he was ready to work from Day 1. He bought in right away,” Farokhmanesh said. “When you look at him, he looks different than most people that we have on our roster, than also on other people’s roster. He wanted to get better.”
He’s been one of the key pieces to vault CSU from a 15-18 team a year ago to where they are now. The Rams are 15-3 overall and ranked No. 23/24 in the top-25 polls and seem headed for the NCAA Tournament.
Clifford’s talent is obvious, but his veteran mindset has been key, too. Coach Niko Medved jokes that Clifford can throw a pass into the third row and not be bothered — and he means it as a compliment. A college basketball season is full of ups and downs, and he knows how to ride them.
“He just has that mental ability to emotionally get over good and bad things and just make the next play,” Medved said. “Not everyone has that. You can get caught up. He has that confidence and ability to just go to the next play. He’s just been massive for us.”
Clifford, who has one more season of eligibility if he chooses to use it, has gone from a role player in Boulder to a star in Fort Collins. It’s a classic case of right fit for player and program.
As happy as he is to be able to flourish with the Rams, the feeling is mutual.
“He brings energy every single day. He has a smile on his face while he does it, but he’s also one of the hardest workers, most competitive people,” guard Isaiah Stevens said. “For me, man, he’s just a heck of a teammate to have with us. I wouldn’t trade him for anything.”
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How Colorado transfer Nique Clifford became a star CSU basketball team
