Sacramento Kings
Nique Clifford
HT6'5"
WT175 lbs
EXPRookie
AGE24
SG#5

Career Stats

YearTeamFGMFG%3PM3P%FTMFT%PTSREBASTSTLBLKTOPF
2025SAC249/59641.877/23133.370/9772.28.63.82.40.90.31.52.1

Fantasy Outlook

Clifford broke out as a fifth-year senior at Colorado State, averaging 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals on 49.6 percent shooting from the field and 37.7 percent from deep. The 23-year-old rookie is old for a prospect, but given how he performed during Summer League, Clifford may be NBA-ready in Year 1. He doesn't have great size, but he's an exceptional rebounder and defender. He also doesn't have an elite offensive trait, but he's an efficient scorer and playmaker. The Kings used the No. 24 pick on the toolsy wing, but his fit in Sacramento is questionable. Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis will be the Opening Night starting five. Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis are the top backups in the backcourt, so Clifford's easiest way to playing time would be in the frontcourt, where Doug McDermott is the rookie's top competition. Clifford won't have enough usage to be fantasy relevant in a minor reserve role, but he should be monitored closely, especially if the Kings fall out of the playoff picture early.

Kings Lineup

PG
#18R. Westbrook
M. Monk
SG
#8Z. LaVine
#5N. Clifford
SF
#10D. DeRozan
#15D. Hunter
PF
#13K. Murray
#9P. Achiuwa
C
#11D. Sabonis
#42M. Raynaud