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BOYLE: Clifford adjusting to level of college basketball

BOYLE: Clifford adjusting to the level college basketball
Posted at 11:03 PM, Feb 09, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-11 00:04:30-05

BOULDER — Colorado Buffaloes freshman guard Nique Clifford is off to a tough start up in Boulder, with no fault of his own.

The Vanguard School product is playing behind one of the best point guards in Buff history in McKinley Wright IV.

As of Tuesday, Clifford has only played garbage time minutes in 12 games, which has led to a poor shooting performance (2-19 from the field).

"It has been an adjustment for him," explained CU men's head basketball coach Tad Boyle. "It's been an adjustment going from 3A Colorado high school basketball to high major Division I basketball. He continues to make that adjustment, but I am encouraged with him. He is coach-able. He is smart. He wants to be great. And I think that is the key when I think about Nique Clifford. I see his want too. But he is going through an adjustment phase."

Boyle went onto say that the Colorado Springs native will make an impact at one point in the Buffs program.

"If it is not their year, then next year for sure," added Boyle.

Colorado begins a 4-game road trip on Thursday at Stanford.