Print Edition

Letter to the editor submissions

Have a strong opinion about something happening on campus or in Fort Collins? Want to respond to an article written on The Collegian? Write a Letter to the Editor by following the guidelines here.

Nique Clifford withdraws from NBA Draft, will return to CSU

Damon Cook, Sports Editor

May 30, 2024

Collegian | Damon Cook

Colorado State University forward Nique Clifford (10) finishes over three University of Texas defenders March 21. CSU lost to Texas 56-44 in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After a breakout season in which Nique Clifford helped lead Colorado State men’s basketball back to the NCAA tournament, Clifford announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft and return to CSU on May 30 via X.

In due time https://t.co/jRP4RzclsU

— otn_nique (@NiqueOtn) May 30, 2024

The high-flying wing averaged 12.2 points and 7.6 boards last season and was one of the Rams’ best defenders. With Isaiah Stevens no longer having eligibility, Clifford is the projected No. 1 option for the Rams once their season starts.

While Clifford wasn’t named in the NBA experts’ mock drafts, the 2024 NBA draft was widely considered to lack a lot of the high-end talent, something that could have benefitted Clifford with a team looking to take a chance on a 3-and-D wing, a highly coveted position in the pros.

Clifford’s return is a massive boost to the Rams’ hopes of getting to the NCAA tournament for a third time in four years under newly extended coach Niko Medved.

Clifford’s experience, paired with an expected jump from second-year players like Kyan Evans and Rashaan Mbemba plus the incoming transfers, could have CSU right back as contenders to win the Mountain West.

The Rams added size through the transfer portal, something they didn’t have a lot of last season. Clifford’s 6-foot-6-inch frame will be complemented nicely by those additions.

While the schedule has yet to be announced, the 2024-25 NCAA men’s basketball season will commence in November.

Reach Damon Cook at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @dwcook2001.

Interested in more sports content? Sign up for Ram Report here for weekly CSU sports updates!

About the Contributor

Damon Cook, Sports Editor

Damon Cook is returning as one of the sports editors for fall 2024 at the The Collegian. He's been at the paper since August 2022. After starting as a construction management major at Colorado State University, Cook quickly found out he didn't have a passion for it. After taking a year off, he realized he could work in sports — something he has always been passionate about. So with newfound aspirations, he switched his major to journalism and media communication to chase those dreams. After a year of working as a beat writer covering volleyball and women's basketball, Cook took over as sports editor in summer 2023. Since then, he has become established in reporting on football and men's basketball and looks forward to providing that coverage this upcoming season. Cook will begin his third semester as the sports editor before graduating in December, having borne witness to some of CSU's historic feats. His passion for bringing readers the best coverage has only grown. Having started in the wake of a complete overhaul of The Collegian sports desk, Cook has watched the desk grow considerably, thanks to the efforts of so many amazing people he gets the pleasure of working alongside. Having learned so many things from so many people, including to never wear a tie, Cook looks forward to helping The Collegian sports desk reach heights never imagined before. With a much greater understanding of the power of words, one of Cook's inspirational quotes for this upcoming year has been from Eric Cartman in South Park: "Respect my authoritah."

Comments (0)

When commenting on The Collegian’s website, please be respectful of others and their viewpoints. The Collegian reviews all comments and reserves the right to reject comments from the website. Comments including any of the following will not be accepted. 1. No language attacking a protected group, including slurs or other profane language directed at a person’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social class, age, physical or mental disability, ethnicity or nationality. 2. No factually inaccurate information, including misleading statements or incorrect data. 3. No abusive language or harassment of Collegian writers, editors or other commenters. 4. No threatening language that includes but is not limited to language inciting violence against an individual or group of people. 5. No links.

Share your thoughts...

All The Rocky Mountain Collegian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest