Here’s an in-depth look at why the Memphis Grizzlies are being tipped to land Colorado State standout Nique Clifford in the upcoming NBA Draft—an exciting prospect that could become a strategic fit for their culture and roster.
Player Profile: Nique Clifford
Position & Physicals
Clifford stands at 6‑foot‑6 and weighs around 191–200 lbs, making him a prototypical wing with size and versatility (medium.com).
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Skill Set
Offensively, he’s shown impressive efficiency: significant improvements in shooting percentages, finishing at the rim (over 71% on attempts), and solid three-point and transition scoring (medium.com).
Defensively, Clifford posted a +4.5 Defensive Box Plus/Minus—placing him among the top 15 defenders nationally—and led Colorado State in steals (medium.com).
Role & Style
Scouts tout him as a versatile, high-motor two-way wing.
He excels off-ball in spot-up situations (97th percentile efficiency), cuts (93rd percentile), and in transition, though he’s less dominant in pick-and-roll ball-handling (medium.com).
Draft Projection
Clifford is commonly projected late in the first round to mid-second round.
CBS Sports lists him 28th to the Celtics (americanosports.com), while Bleacher Report sees him at 22nd via the Thunder .
How He Fits with Memphis
1. Memphis’ System for Role Players
The Grizzlies are known for unearthing high-character, two-way role players.
Recent examples include Jaylen Wells (39th pick, out of Washington State), who became an All-Rookie First Team contributor (en.wikipedia.org). Memphis values grit, defense, and smart wings—all traits Clifford brings.
2. Defensive & Positional Versatility
Memphis’ “grit and grind” philosophy requires wings who can guard multiple positions, rotate effectively, and compete physically. Clifford fits that mold perfectly—his length, athleticism, and defensive instincts would be a natural fit in their system.
3. Ready-Made Contributor
Unlike raw freshmen, Clifford is a seasoned college player. At 22 or 24 years old, he won’t require a long adjustment period.
His maturity and skillset suggest he could step into a rotation role immediately—ideal for a team aiming to balance contention with development (americanosports.com).
Draft & Trade Context
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The Grizzlies currently hold the 26th pick in the first round.
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Early mocks either slot Clifford slightly earlier—which could prompt Memphis to consider a trade-up—or suggest waiting for him in the early second round.
CBS Sports (as of Jan. 1, 2025) doesn’t list Clifford for Memphis—but they do have them selecting Dink Pate at 26 (sportingnews.com).
Bleacher Report pegs Clifford at 22 to OKC (via Miami Heat), within reach for Memphis if they package draft capital (bleacherreport.com).
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Today’s Mountain West update (June 23) highlights a CBS projection for Clifford at 20 to Miami—but similar logic applies: high-demand role wing, ideal for Memphis if a pick becomes available .
Why Memphis Among the Frontrunners
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Blend of Experience and Versatility
Clifford delivers both at a polished level—he’s an older, mature linear prospect who can defend and impact games without being a project. -
Cultural Fit
Known for acquiring strong-willed wings like Wells and those from smaller programs, Memphis trusts in players who work hard and fit within their team-first ethos. -
Draft Capital & Flexibility
With picks in the late 20s and possibly the early 40s (via previous trades), Memphis has the flexibility to either reach up for Clifford or wait until he falls.
Projection Summary
Final take: It’s entirely plausible the Grizzlies either trade up into the 22–24 range to grab Clifford or aim to pick him in the early second round as a value pick. His fit—defensively tough, versatile, college-veteran—checks every box for Memphis’ continued identity as a team built on grit, smart team-first basketball, and player development.
Quick Profile Snapshot
Attribute |
Clifford’s Strengths |
|---|---|
Defense |
+4.5 DBPM, excellent positional versatility |
Shooting |
Improved 3PT, elite catch-and-shoot role |
Athleticism |
Strong finishing around the rim, good length |
Maturity |
Age 22–24, experienced leader |
Fit for Memphis |
High-motor, smart two-way wing |
Bottom Line
Nique Clifford may not be the flashiest name in this draft, but he’s exactly the kind of player who could thrive in Memphis.
His blend of defensive toughness, shooting, and veteran savvy is what the Grizzlies aim to add at the draft’s end.
Whether they move up or aim slightly lower, landing Clifford would reinforce their identity and deepen their wing rotation in a cost-effective and timeline-aligned manner.
Stay tuned to see if Memphis makes the move—and watch closely if Clifford is still on the board when their pick rolls around.
Would you like a breakdown of possible trade packages or comparisons to current Grizzlies to see how Clifford lines up statistically or stylistically?
