Nick Clifford is back.
The versatile star basketball player withdrew his name from the NBA Draft and will return to the Colorado State men’s basketball team, Clifford announced Thursday on social media.
His response message was clear and concise: “Run it again.”
It was an election that lasted until the last hours, with Wednesday night (9:59 p.m. Mountain time) being the official deadline for withdrawal. Clifford worked out with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday morning.
Here’s what it means for Clifford and the Rams.
Nique Clifford’s NBA Draft Stock and Chance to Improve
Clifford was considered undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft.
The wing measured 6-foot-5 (without shoes) at the NBA combine, where he had a mixed performance. Clifford was a little erratic shooting at the combine, but he showed off his versatility on both ends of the floor in addition to his high-level athleticism.
A sample of where Clifford was seen showed why it made sense to return to CSU:
Clifford will now become the centerpiece of the 2024-25 CSU team. Niko Medved and staff are considered a solid development group and Clifford gets another year in his system (he spent three years at Colorado before transferring to CSU ahead of the 2023-24 season).
He helped the Rams reach the 2024 NCAA Tournament and was a perfect fit alongside star guard Isaiah Stevens. Stevens has now turned pro and the Rams have made some interesting additions to the roster during the offseason. Clifford will now enter the 2024-25 season firmly in the draft conversation and will be able to further build his reputation.
Clifford averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3 assists per game last season.
Refining his skills and potentially helping lead the Rams back to the postseason could put him in a strong position for the 2025 NBA draft.
It is the third year in a row that CSU has had a player in the NBA draft process. Two years ago, David Roddy’s decision came down to the wire and went, where he became a first-round pick. Stevens entered the draft process a year ago but returned to the Rams.
Colorado State finalizes 2024-25 roster with Clifford as centerpiece
CSU’s 2024-25 team is now clear.
Medved returns with a new contract extension. The attendees didn’t change either.
Clifford is now a Ram again and CSU has added five transfers to the roster. There are four incoming freshmen and three holdovers from the 2024 NCAA Tournament team.
Clifford will immediately return to his starting spot on the wing and be the “face of the franchise,” so to speak, during his final college season. Clifford averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3 assists per game last season.
Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney said Tuesday that if Clifford returned, the Rams “could get back into the (NCAA Tournament) overall (conversation).”
“Colorado State has a real chance to make three NCAA Tournaments in four years. Keeping Clifford felt like an uphill battle for much of the draft process, but the Rams did it,” Sweeney wrote Thursday.
CSU Transfer Tracker:Players leaving and joining the Rams
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on x and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
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