NBA Summer League rookies
NBA Summer League is in full swing, and these are the rookies that have impressed the most.
Nique Clifford is excelling in the NBA Summer League for the Sacramento Kings.John Tonje, another former CSU player, made his Summer League debut with the Utah Jazz.Multiple CSU representatives, including athletic director John Weber and new head coach Ali Farokhmanesh, attended the games in Las Vegas.
Nique Clifford is having a summer to remember in Las Vegas.
So is Colorado State basketball, for that matter.
After being drafted 24th in the NBA Draft first round in June, the former CSU standout has been a breakout rookie star during NBA Summer League action.
It continued July 16, as Clifford flirted with a triple-double, dropping 19 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists in a 94-86 win over Cleveland.
The two-year CSU star and Colorado Springs native has been on an absolute tear out in Las Vegas. He’s averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5 steals per game while shooting 58.3% from the field and 53% from 3-point range.
Nique Clifford’s statlines in his 4 Summer League games are ridiculous.
vs ORL: 17 PTS (41% FG), 4 REBS, 3 ASTS, 2 STLS, 1 BLK
vs CHI: 19 PTS (61% FG), 12 REBS, 5 ASTS, 1 STL
vs PHX: 19 PTS (87% FG), 3 REBS, 3 ASTS, 2 STLS, 1 BLK
vs CLE: 19 PTS (53% FG), 7 REBS, 9 ASTS
4-0 pic.twitter.com/EoAv7XOYIT
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) July 16, 2025
Clifford has propelled the Kings summer squad to a perfect 4-0 record and a spot in the Summer League playoffs, starting July 19.
He hasn’t done it alone. In fact, he’s had a former CSU running mate right there with him.
Former Rams’ great Isaiah Stevens has been running point for Sacramento in Vegas, and he had 13 points and 5 assists in that win over the Cavaliers.
After helping the Heat win a Summer League title last year, Stevens is averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 assists per game with a 4:1 assist-to-turnover ration for Sacramento.
Even Colorado State athletic director John Weber, already in Las Vegas for CSU football at Mountain West Media Days, made his way to Thomas & Mack Center to see the former Rams.
It wasn’t the only CSU representation in Vegas.
Former four-year CSU player John Tonje also made his NBA Summer League debut with the Utah Jazz on July 14.
New CSU head coach (and longtime assistant) Ali Farokhmanesh was in attendance to see some Kings games and Tonje’s debut, as he scored 16 points with 3 assists, 3 rebounds with four 3-pointers.
Tonje hadn’t played for CSU since 2023, transferring to Missouri and then Wisconsin for his final two college seasons before being drafted by the Jazz in the 2nd round.
He’s still a beloved former Ram and was part of Colorado State’s program-changing 2019 recruiting class with Stevens and David Roddy, who is also in the NBA.
With four CSU players competing for pro spots and Clifford looking like a future NBA mainstay, Weber may have said it best:
“The road to the NBA runs through Fort Collins.”
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.