Taking a look at the player profile for Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford heading into the 2026 season.
The Sacramento Kings have a solid collection of young talent across the board on this roster, especially in the backcourt. With that said, second-year guard Nique Clifford may have an opportunity to have a truly great showing in 2026.
So, let's take a look at Clifford's college career, his rookie season with the Kings, and what he could provide for Sacramento during the 2026 season.
The first thing to talk about is Clifford's college career which was a solid one as he played three seasons for the Colorado Buffaloes and two seasons for the Colorado State Rams.
Over the course of Clifford's college career, he was solid as he averaged 10.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game. Clifford also showcased the ability to have solid efficiency while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three, and 72.4 percent from the free-throw line.
In college, Clifford showed the ability to score at all levels quite effectively and also provided good defense with his athleticism, which allowed him to have a solid collegiate career.
Following Clifford's college career, he declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, where he was selected in the first round with the No. 24 overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder before his draft rights were traded to the Kings in exchange for a protected 2027 first-round pick.
With this trade, it was clear that Sacramento saw something in Clifford, and with that said, Sacramento made the move.
On that note, Clifford was solid for the Kings in his rookie season as he averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game.
In terms of efficiency, Clifford was able to be solid as well while shooting 41.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 72.2 percent from the free-throw line.
During Clifford's rookie season, he did have to step up as the Kings dealt with some injuries, including that of guard Zach LaVine, so in the 75 games Clifford played, he ended up starting in 25 of those games, which gave him some valuable experience.
Heading into 2026, LaVine is healthy and in the starting lineup, so Clifford should be coming off the bench, and with his 6-5 and 175-pound frame, he has the ability to play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward, so it will be interesting to see how head coach Doug Christie does deploy Clifford.
Off the bench, other options at point guard, shooting guard, and small forward include veterans Ben Simmons and Malik Monk, and with that said, it is going to be intriguing to see how Christie manages the rotation.
So, as Clifford prepares for the 2026 season, it will be interesting to see how Clifford has improved, how Christie decides to use Clifford off the bench, and the type of impact Clifford can make on both ends of the floor in his second season in the NBA.
