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NBA Draft: Colorado State’s Nique Clifford Has Continued to Showcase Two-Way Versatility

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NBA Draft: Colorado State’s Nique Clifford Has Continued to Showcase Two-Way Versatility


Following a standout year last season, Colorado State’s star wing Nique Clifford chose to return for his final year of eligibility and appears to have made the right decision in terms of raising his draft value. He was typically viewed as a potential second-round sleeper ahead of the 2024 NBA draft, but his play so far suggests that he has taken another leap, polishing aspects of his game that were considered questions at this time last year. Let’s dive into Clifford’s performance through his first eight games of this season and how he has skyrocketed into first-round conversations.

Clifford is an extremely versatile wing who uses his elite athleticism and two-way instincts to impact games all over the court. At this point, he has averaged 18.9 points, 11 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.4 steals and one block, with shooting splits of 57.3%/38.9%/65.5%. He has raised his shooting volume while also improving as a playmaker, but what has impressed the most this season is his consistent scoring and increased versatility on defense. Though he is an older prospect, meaning his long-term upside may not be as high as that of some rawer players, his immediate two-way impact is very intriguing.

His most recent outing in an 83-54 victory over Loyola Marymount highlighted his do-it-all playstyle. He finished this blowout win with 19 points, 17 rebounds and six assists. Clifford showed his ability to make his presence felt all over the floor and regularly made quick decisions depending on how his opponents attacked or shifted defensively. While he was versatile last season, his game was not nearly as polished as it has looked to start this year.

One of the biggest concerns with Clifford heading into this season was how effectively he could lead an offense now that he is the clear No. 1 scoring option for the Rams. Last season, he averaged 12.2 points across 36 games, with several big scoring outbursts. It was clear that he would be asked to perform more consistently this year, and he has not disappointed. Last season, he scored 20 points or more in only three games, but in this year’s small sample size, he has already matched that total, scoring 20 or more in three games, including a 31-point, 13-rebound outburst against Tennessee State. His volume of shot attempts and three-point attempts has also increased, along with his shooting percentages.

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Clifford also has the potential to translate to the NBA as a versatile defender. He plays with a high motor and uses his vertical and lateral athleticism to cover multiple positions. On the perimeter, he uses great anticipation and his length to disrupt ball handlers and create havoc in passing lanes. He can also compete with bigger opponents closer to the rim, with good timing on contests and smart positioning to secure rebounds.

His high level of versatility on both ends of the floor was one of the most intriguing aspects of Clifford as a prospect last season and seems to have improved this year. It now looks like a safe bet that he will be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, but if he maintains this level of productivity as the competition intensifies, how early he is selected could very well exceed current expectations.

Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.





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Final minute, full 2OT from Northwestern-Colorado lacrosse quarterfinal marathon

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Final minute, full 2OT from Northwestern-Colorado lacrosse quarterfinal marathon


Women’s Lacrosse

May 14, 2026

Final minute, full 2OT from Northwestern-Colorado lacrosse quarterfinal marathon

May 14, 2026

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Watch the full regulation finish and both OT periods from Northwestern and Colorado’s battle in the quarterfinals of the 2026 NCAA women’s lacrosse tournament.



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Live: Day 1 of Colorado high school state track and field meet

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Live: Day 1 of Colorado high school state track and field meet


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LAKEWOOD — One of the most anticipated events in Colorado high school sports is back on the track.

The annual Colorado high school track and field state championship meet returns May 14-16 for the 2026 edition.

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It kicks off May 14 as the Centennial State’s top leapers, runners, jumpers, sprinters, vaulters and throwers take over Lakewood’s JeffCo Stadium.

More than 100 Fort Collins-area athletes across four different classifications have qualified for the state meet.

Follow here for day one live state track & field updates from local athletes, plus some notable scores and results for Northern Colorado and statewide competitors.

This has the potential to be a massive state meet for the Fort Collins area.

Our top local sprinters and relay teams account for more than 40 top-two seeds in their events, while there are field contenders galore and several distance runners in the mix.

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— Chris Abshire

It’s a busy year for Fort Collins-area athletes down at state track, with over 100 athletes qualifying from nine local schools.

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Fort Collins High School leads the way with eighteen individual qualifiers and seven relay sqauds, but there’s plenty of representation across schools and events.

— Chris Abshire

Here are all the May 14 running finals at the 2026 Colorado state track & field championships:

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  • 8:20-8:35 a.m.: 5A boys/girls 3,200 meters
  • 10:00-10:50 a.m.: 4A and 5A boys/girls 4×800 relays
  • 11:00-11:30 a.m.: 4A/5A Special Olympics/Paralympics 100 dashes
  • Noon: 4A/5A Special Olympics/Paralympic 200 dashes
  • 2:20-2:45 p.m.: Special Olympics/Paralympic 3A/2A/1A 100 and 200 dashes
  • 4:00-5:00 p.m.: 3A and 2A boys/girls 4×800 relays
  • 5:00-5:35 p.m.: 1A boys/girls 3,200 meters
  • 6:00-6:15 p.m.: 3A boys/girls 3200 meters

— Chris Abshire

Here are all the May 14 field finals at the 2026 Colorado state track & field championships:

8:30 A.M.

  • 5A girls pole vault and discus
  • 5A boys long jump
  • 4A girls high jump and shot put
  • 4A boys triple jump

11/11:30 A.M.

  • 5A boys pole vault and discus
  • 5A girls long jump
  • 4A boys high jump and shot put
  • 4A girls triple jump

1:30/2:00/2:30 P.M.

  • 3A boys triple jump
  • 3A girls pole vault and discus
  • 2A boys high jump
  • 2A girls long jump and shot put

4/5 P.M.

  • 3A boys high jump
  • 3A girls triple jump
  • 1A girls pole vault and discus
  • 1A boys long jump and shot put

— Chris Abshire

Since the calendar hit 2000, there have been many remarkable achievements from local athletes at the Colorado state track & field meet.

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From throws domination to Ray Bozmans’ sprint sweep or multiple sister acts, here are 15 of the best Fort Collins-area performances in the new millennium.

Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.



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City leaders working to address housing deficit

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City leaders working to address housing deficit


(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Efforts are underway to bring more homes to Colorado Springs, just days after housing advocates pointed out some shortfalls. The Pikes Peak Housing Network says El Paso County has a housing deficit of between 13,000 and 27,000 homes right now. The organization says affordable housing remains a big need, but Colorado Springs officials say the community is pushing back on some developments.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said housing “Will continue to be a crisis, but it’s also an opportunity.”

“Homes have risen far more in price than income; three times more,” said Pikes Peak Housing Network Executive Director Jill Gaebler.

Gaebler presented to the Colorado Springs City Council on Monday and said El Paso County is not building enough homes that the average person can afford right now. She said the median home price in the county currently sits around $500,000.

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“The average age of the first-time homebuyer has increased to 40 years old. Just a decade ago, it was 31 years old,” said Gaebler, “we’re renting longer, getting that nest egg ready to purchase a home and put down a deposit.”

In Colorado Springs, Mayor Mobolade says the city is working on the issue.

“We’ve invested $230 million in affordable housing projects… But what I’m really proud of is 3000 homes since I got into office, affordable homes,” said Mobolade.

City of Colorado Springs Media Relations Manager Max D’Onofrio said in a statement to FOX21 the city is working to advance several initiatives, including “developing a Housing Action Plan; investing in new affordable and attainable housing through federal funds and private‑activity bonds; supporting rehabilitation programs for low‑income seniors; providing tenant‑based rental assistance; strengthening partnerships with the Colorado Springs Housing Authority; and maintaining the City’s eligibility for Proposition 123 to keep more projects moving forward.”

“We will continue to ensure that every money from the federal government that passes through the city and every money from the state that passes through the city will be prioritized for housing that targets the area median income that our residents need,” said Mobolade.

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Gaebler says her organization helps builders who construct all types of homes connect with decision makers when seeking project approval. But she and the mayor say affordable housing often gets pushback from the community.

“It’s getting harder and harder for those projects to get approved because community members fight and oppose a lot of these housing developments,” said Gaebler.

“We’re seeing a pushback from our community on just about every affordable housing project,” said Mobolade, “I know people get hung up on that term. We’re not talking about Section 8 lower-income homes, not that that doesn’t matter, that matters. We’re talking about teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, military members that can’t afford to live in this city.”

D’Onofrio also stated, while the city focuses on affordable rentals and attainable homeownership, it is also aiming to preserve neighborhood character and protect quality of life.

The city did not give a date on when it is aiming to complete the Housing Action Plan, which it says is currently in the works.

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