Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie has been impressed by Nique Clifford early in training camp and believes the rookie is further ahead than initially thought in some areas of the game.
Clifford was a first-team All-Mountain West selection last season at Colorado State, averaging 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals on 37.7% shooting from 3-point range. He was also named to the Mountain West All-Defensive Team.
The 24th pick was highly touted out of college because of his versatility and ability to play multiple positions on offense. He is showcasing that he can make an impact in various ways in practice, something that has stood out to Christie.
I’m just always impressed with him because there are so many different ways for him to contribute to the game and get himself into the game. He can score the ball. He can shoot the 3-ball. He can shoot midrange. He can put the ball on the deck. His reads in the passing game when he is coming off pick and rolls, I think, are way more advanced than we would have probably anticipated watching him out here with the reads, the roll and the low man. There are a lot of ways that he can affect the game.
Clifford debuted with the Kings in the NBA Summer League, averaging 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals on 45.8% shooting from 3-point range. He emerged as one of the most productive players in the desert, ranking in the top 15 in global rating.
The 23-year-old admitted that the competition level in training camp is vastly different from what he saw in Las Vegas or during his five years in college. He is also learning how to adjust to defending in the half-court and playing faster offensively.
The Kings will play their first of four preseason games on Wednesday, giving Clifford and the rest of the team additional time to install their concepts and plays. He believes those practices will help prepare him to better adjust to their playing style.
“The practice schedule and the things that we’re doing at practice are somewhat similar to what I was doing at college, but I think definitely the competition level, the speed of the game and the length of the court are a little different,” Clifford said. “It is still basketball at the end of the day, so (I’m) still trying to do the things I know I’m capable of and continuing to grow my game and expand.”