The next steps in the NBA draft picture are coming into focus for Nique Clifford.
The former Colorado State men’s basketball star is currently in Chicago participating in the NBA draft scouting combine. He measured at 6-foot, 5.25-inches, 202 pounds and with a 6-8 wingspan at the combine.
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The NBA draft lottery took place May 12, which places the order of selections. It’s of important note for Clifford and CSU fans because the former Ram not only is projected as a first-round selection, but he may be a lottery pick.
Here are 10 different mock drafts from national analysts after the lottery and where they project Clifford to land:
Sports Illustrated
Kevin Sweeney places Clifford in the first round at No. 17 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Clifford’s stock seems to be rising after a monster close to the season at Colorado State and a strong start to the predraft process,” Sweeney writes. “He’s an older prospect at 23 with five years of college experience, but he should add a ton of value as a defender, passer and slasher who can make catch-and-shoot threes.”
ESPN
Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo’s post-lottery mock has Clifford in the first round at No. 23 overall to the Indiana Pacers.
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“Clifford has built positive buzz this spring, receiving consideration from teams inside the top 20, with a chance to be a riser over the next few weeks. The dearth of experienced, reliable older college wings will help Clifford’s stock coming off a do-it-all season at Colorado State,” Woo writes.
“Clifford’s readiness to contribute would be a boost for the Pacers’ bench, which presently lacks a bigger, more athletic wing defender in his mold.”
Former CSU men’s basketball star Nique Clifford is projected as a likely first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
The Athletic
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic places Clifford at No. 16 overall to the Magic.
“Orlando could use another player who is smart and can knock down shots from the perimeter. Clifford’s defensive play might also appeal to coach Jamahl Mosley,” Vecenie writes. “It is worth noting that they took a player similar to this in Tristan da Silva last year, but you can’t have enough big wings who can shoot and defend.”
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Another interesting note, Clifford was teammates with da Silva at Colorado before Clifford transferred to CSU.
The Ringer
The Ringer slots Clifford in the first round at No. 16 overall to the Orlando Magic.
“Clifford’s maturity as a defender and versatility on offense just make too much sense for the Magic,” The Ringer writes.
For The Win
USA Today’s For The Win writer Bryan Kalbrosky is another with Clifford at No. 17 overall to Minnesota.
“Clifford is the oldest player we have projected in the first round but he looks ready to contribute to an NBA rotation,” Kalbrosky writes.
CBS Sports
Three writers on CBS Sports have a post-lottery mock draft:
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Kyle Boone: Boone has Clifford in the first round at No. 13 overall to the Atlanta Hawks.
Adam Finkelstein: Finkelstein has Clifford No. 15 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Gary Parrish: Parrish likewise has Clifford at No. 15 to the Thunder.
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman’s mock draft on NBA.com after the lottery has Clifford in the first round at No. 15 overall to the Thunder.
“He had come off as a prospect to watch this season based on his ability to play a Swiss Army knife role by finishing plays, passing, defending different spots and making enough open threes,” Wasserman writes. “But he quickly turned into a top-option skill player who can get his own shot or serve as the offense’s playmaker.”
Yahoo Sports
Kevin O’Connor has Minnesota selecting Clifford at No. 17 overall.
“Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards and scores from everywhere,” O’Connor writes. “The Timberwolves could use that type of dynamic ability from a role player, since Clifford can offer some creation and passing on top of his foundational skills.”
When is the 2025 NBA draft?
Here is a look at key dates around the NBA draft:
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May 11-18:Â NBA draft combine
June 25:Â First round of NBA draft (6 p.m. Mountain on ABC and ESPN)
June 26:Â Second round of NBA draft (6 p.m. Mountain on ESPN)
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Post-lottery NBA mock draft: Nique Clifford draft projections