It was a grand night in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft unfolded. Colorado State’s versatile wing Nique Clifford became the Kings’ newly minted No. 24 pick, beamed as commissioner Adam Silver announced his name.
Long before the NBA beckoned, Clifford was a kid enamored by the late Kobe Bryant’s floor dominance. Reflecting on his earliest hoops memory, he called Bryant his “idol.” For Clifford, the Black Mamba’s unyielding competitiveness and legacy became a North Star, guiding him from neighborhood courts in Colorado Springs to the NBA stage.
Kings’ No. 24 Nique Clifford Goes from Young Kobe Bryant Fan to NBA Rookie
Growing up in Colorado Springs, Clifford’s basketball awakening came courtesy of Bryant’s early years with the Lakers. The choice of the No. 8 jersey for his childhood fandom wasn’t happenstance. It was the number Bryant wore when he burst onto the scene and captured young fans’ imaginations.
In that moment at Barclays Center, when his name was announced as the No. 24 selection, his long-awaited dream to walk on the same court as the Black Mamba came to life.
For Clifford, the synchronicity was not lost. “I said my favorite player was Kobe Bryant growing up. I was drafted No. 24. Sure enough, I wore a purple suit and ended up going to a purple team. It was just meant to be. It was crazy, though, that it played out like that,” he reflected after being selected.
The Sacramento Kings have selected Nique Clifford with the No. 24 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder. pic.twitter.com/M3cOEzGRxk
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2025
Shortly thereafter, Clifford shared a touching childhood anecdote that underscored his lifelong reverence for Bryant. “I wore that Kobe 8 jersey when I was a baby. That was my idol,” Clifford told reporters, recalling how his earliest hoops memories were dominated by Bryant’s artistry on the court.
It was a poignant reminder that the path from cherishing a jersey as a kid to donning a professional uniform can, indeed, come full circle. Clifford called it “God’s plan” as he was drafted at No. 24, a number that was prominently displayed on Bryant’s jersey (starting the 2006-07 season).
The Sacramento Kings, in pursuit of backcourt versatility and defensive tenacity, designed a trade to claim the No. 24 pick. In Clifford, they found a switchable wing known for his rebounding prowess and perimeter shooting. The Kings traded their protected 2027 first-round pick (gained via the Spurs) to the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire Clifford.
READ MORE: Who Are Nique Clifford’s Parents? Get To Know the 2025 NBA Draft Prospect’s Mother and Father
Clifford’s Dream Comes Full Circle at No. 24
Clifford arrived at the University of Colorado as a heralded recruit out of The Vanguard School, where he’d been the 2020 Gatorade State Player of the Year. At Vanguard, he posted an average of 14.5 points per game and 11.3 rebounds as a junior.
At the University of Colorado, by his sophomore year, Clifford was contributing 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest for the Buffaloes. He maintained steady production with 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds during the 2022-2023 season.
Seeking a larger role, Clifford landed at Colorado State for the 2023-24 season. He immediately made an impact, averaging 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds per game. In his last season (2024-25), the Kings rookie averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
Here’s some of what you can expect from our newest Sacramento King, Nique Clifford!
Clifford averaged 18.9 pts, 9.6 rebs, and 4.4 asts on 49%/38%/78% shooting splits for Colorado State last season.
Solid pickup imo! How we feelin’ Kings fans? Chime in below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/e4Lz4B0QDR
— SleeperKings (@SleeperSacKings) June 26, 2025
Last season, Clifford stood out as the only player in the country to post 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game (average). His stellar production earned him spots on both the First-Team All-Mountain West and the All-Mountain West Defensive Team.
He also earned the Third-team All-Mountain West honor and the AP All-American Honorable Mention nod. Moreover, in March, Clifford earned the 2025 Mountain West Conference MVP nod.
Meanwhile, Clifford prepares to play for the Sacramento, where he will carry the late Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” as both a homage and a blueprint.
