Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Nique Clifford is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Born on February 9, 2002, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he developed into a talented guard and forward before being selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Behind his basketball journey is a supportive family that has played an important role in his development, education, and professional achievements.
Many fans are curious about Nique Clifford’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings. His parents are Akai Clifford and Angelique Clifford, also known as Angel. Unlike many professional basketball players who grow up alongside brothers and sisters, Clifford is an only child. Although his family background is well documented, the Sacramento Kings player has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships.
Nique Clifford’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Nique Clifford has kept his romantic relationships largely private despite becoming increasingly recognized through his college basketball career and subsequent move to the NBA.
Although fans have shown interest in whether the Sacramento Kings guard has a girlfriend, he has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current romantic partner.
His interviews and social media presence have primarily focused on basketball, family relationships, training, and professional development.
In an interview published by The Next in April 2020, Clifford explained that he maintained an open relationship with his parents and felt comfortable discussing personal matters with them, including relationships and dating.
However, the interview did not identify a girlfriend or provide specific information about his dating history.
Clifford has continued to keep this aspect of his personal life away from widespread public attention.
As of now, Nique Clifford has no publicly confirmed girlfriend or wife. His relationship status remains private, and there is insufficient reliable information to establish whether he is currently dating someone.
Nique Clifford’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is currently no verified public information confirming that Nique Clifford has children.
The professional basketball player has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and his official NBA and college basketball biographies do not identify any children.
Born in 2002, Clifford spent his early adulthood developing his basketball career at the University of Colorado and Colorado State University before entering the NBA in 2025.
Throughout this period, he has frequently discussed the importance of his parents and extended family, but he has not made any widely documented statements about becoming a father.
As of now, Nique Clifford has no publicly confirmed children.
Nique Clifford’s Parents: Meet Akai and Angelique Clifford
Nique Clifford was born to Akai Clifford and Angelique Clifford on February 9, 2002, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
His parents, who have known each other since their high school years, raised him as their only child.
According to reporting by The Gazette, Akai and Angelique were high school sweethearts at Widefield High School in Colorado.
Both parents have played important roles in their son’s personal development, emphasizing education, discipline, community involvement, and a strong work ethic.
They also supported his basketball ambitions from childhood, attending games and helping him navigate important decisions throughout his career.
Nique Clifford’s Father: Akai Clifford
Akai Clifford is Nique Clifford’s father and one of the most influential figures in his basketball journey.
According to a profile published by The Next, Akai worked as a business banker and grew up in Pasadena, California.
He also has a basketball background, having played the sport at Widefield High School in Colorado.
Akai’s love for basketball contributed to his son’s interest in the sport from an early age.
Interestingly, Nique’s full first name, Dominique, was inspired by former NBA superstar Dominique Wilkins, who was one of Akai’s favorite basketball players.
This connection reflects how basketball was already part of Clifford’s family identity before he began playing competitively.
Growing up, Nique also became a Los Angeles Lakers fan because of his father’s roots in Southern California.
He developed a particular admiration for Kobe Bryant, whose competitive mentality and defensive commitment influenced his own approach to basketball.
Beyond introducing his son to the sport, Akai played an important role in helping him manage the emotional challenges of competition.
In an interview with The Next, Nique explained that his father provided constructive criticism after games while also encouraging him when he was disappointed with his performance.
Akai helped his son understand that setbacks were part of the learning process and that improvement required both hard work and emotional discipline.
He also emphasized the importance of preparing for life outside basketball, teaching Nique practical skills involving personal finance and independence.
During Clifford’s college basketball career, Akai regularly attended games alongside his wife, Angelique.
In February 2025, The Gazette reported that the couple had attended nearly every Colorado State game that season, missing only one because of a canceled flight.
Akai was also present when his son was selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, witnessing the realization of a dream that had begun during Nique’s childhood in Colorado Springs.
Nique Clifford’s Mother: Angelique Clifford
Angelique Clifford, also known as Angel Clifford, is Nique Clifford’s mother.
According to The Next, she worked as a benefits supervisor and played an important role in establishing the family’s values surrounding education, discipline, and community service.
Angelique was closely involved in her son’s upbringing and athletic development.
She encouraged him to excel academically while pursuing his basketball ambitions, helping him understand that education should remain a priority even if he eventually became a professional athlete.
Clifford explained in a 2020 interview that his parents maintained strict academic expectations. Poor grades could result in him losing the opportunity to participate in basketball activities.
This approach motivated him to perform well in school while maintaining his commitment to training and competition.
His mother also participated in his athletic development by working out with him during the offseason.
According to The Next, Angelique sometimes trained alongside Nique to help him maintain his physical conditioning.
Their relationship remained strong as Clifford progressed through high school and college basketball.
In February 2025, Angelique attended Colorado State’s game against Air Force in Colorado Springs, where she spoke emotionally about her son’s dedication.
She described Nique as someone who consistently pushed himself to improve and demonstrated an exceptional commitment to achieving his goals.
Angelique expressed pride in how her son had developed, both as a basketball player and as a person.
She also accompanied him to the 2025 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York, where he was selected with the 24th overall pick.
Her presence at the ceremony reflected the close relationship that has existed between Clifford and his parents throughout his basketball journey.
Nique Clifford’s Siblings: Does He Have Any Brothers or Sisters?
Unlike many professional basketball players who grow up with several siblings, Nique Clifford is an only child.
His official University of Colorado athletics biography confirms that he is the only child of Akai and Angelique Clifford.
Clifford also discussed growing up without siblings during a 2020 interview with The Next.
He acknowledged that being an only child occasionally presented challenges, particularly because he did not have brothers or sisters to spend time with at home.
However, he explained that the experience helped him develop a particularly close relationship with his parents.
Without siblings, Clifford spent considerable time communicating with Akai and Angelique, who became important sources of guidance throughout his childhood.
He described his parents as people he could trust with personal problems, decisions about basketball, and everyday life experiences.
His upbringing also encouraged him to develop strong friendships with classmates, teammates, and other young athletes in Colorado Springs.
These relationships helped provide the companionship and support that some children experience through growing up with brothers and sisters.
Does Nique Clifford Have a Brother?
No. Nique Clifford does not have a publicly documented brother.
His official University of Colorado biography explicitly identifies him as the only child of his parents.
Although he has developed close relationships with basketball teammates and childhood friends, these individuals are not his biological siblings.
Does Nique Clifford Have a Sister?
No. Nique Clifford does not have a publicly documented sister.
He grew up as the only child in his immediate family, surrounded by supportive parents, grandparents, friends, and extended relatives.
His close family environment helped him develop the communication skills and relationships that later became important throughout his basketball career.
Nique Clifford’s Grandparents and Extended Family
Although Nique Clifford grew up without siblings, his grandparents and other extended relatives played meaningful roles in his childhood.
In an interview with The Next, Clifford discussed the influence of both of his grandmothers, who helped shape his understanding of family relationships and community values.
Nique Clifford’s Grandmother Who Worked as a Truck Driver
One of Clifford’s grandmothers worked as a truck driver and spent significant periods traveling for her profession.
When she was not working, she stayed with the family and spent time with her grandson.
Clifford particularly appreciated her cooking and the meals she prepared for him whenever she returned home.
According to his interview with The Next, his grandmother often prepared enough food to leave leftovers while she was away working.
These everyday experiences became memorable parts of his childhood and contributed to his appreciation for family traditions.
Nique Clifford’s Other Grandmother
Clifford’s other grandmother was also an important influence during his early years.
He spent considerable time with her throughout his childhood and credited her with helping shape his personality and values.
In the interview published in 2020, Clifford explained that this grandmother had moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma, with his grandfather.
He also revealed that his grandfather had passed away approximately six months before the interview.
Although he missed spending time with his grandmother, Clifford remained grateful for the role she had played in his upbringing.
His relationships with his grandparents demonstrate that his family support system extended beyond his parents, despite being an only child.
How Nique Clifford’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career
Nique Clifford’s basketball journey began in Colorado Springs, where he grew up surrounded by a family that encouraged both athletic achievement and academic success.
His father introduced him to basketball at a young age, while his mother helped reinforce the importance of education and personal responsibility.
Clifford began playing organized basketball during elementary school, initially developing his skills as a relatively short guard.
He attended The Vanguard School in Colorado Springs, where he emerged as one of the state’s most promising basketball players.
During his high school years, Clifford experienced a major growth spurt, increasing his height from approximately six feet to six feet five inches between his sophomore and junior seasons.
His improved physical attributes, combined with the ball-handling skills he developed as a younger player, helped him become a versatile guard and forward.
During his senior season, Clifford averaged approximately 26.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.5 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game.
His performances earned him recognition as the Colorado Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2020.
Despite receiving interest from several universities, Clifford chose the University of Colorado, partly because it allowed him to remain close to his family.
He played for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2020 to 2023, gaining valuable experience in the Pac-12 Conference.
Following three seasons at Colorado, he transferred to Colorado State University, where his basketball career reached another level.
During the 2024–25 season, Clifford became one of the Mountain West Conference’s leading players.
He earned First-Team All-Mountain West recognition, was selected to the conference’s All-Defensive Team, and helped Colorado State win the Mountain West tournament championship.
His performances also earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
On June 25, 2025, Clifford achieved his childhood dream when he was selected with the 24th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Although the Oklahoma City Thunder held the selection, the pick was acquired by the Sacramento Kings through a trade.
Clifford was surrounded by his parents, former coaches, and other supporters during the draft ceremony in Brooklyn.
In an interview published by Colorado State Athletics, he expressed appreciation for the people who had supported him through the difficult and successful moments of his journey.
His selection marked an important milestone not only for his career but also for his family, which had supported his ambition of reaching the NBA since childhood.
Why Was Nique Clifford Named Dominique?
One interesting detail about Nique Clifford’s family is the origin of his first name.
Although he is widely known as Nique, his full name is Dominique Akai Clifford.
His father, Akai Clifford, named him after Dominique Wilkins, the former Atlanta Hawks superstar and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Wilkins was one of Akai’s favorite basketball players, and the name reflected his admiration for the legendary NBA forward.
Growing up in a basketball-loving household, Nique was introduced to the sport’s history and its most recognizable athletes from an early age.
His admiration for Kobe Bryant also emerged through the family’s connection to the Los Angeles Lakers.
As Clifford progressed through his basketball career, he adopted aspects of Bryant’s competitive mentality while developing his own identity as a versatile defender, rebounder, and offensive player.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nique Clifford’s Family
Who is Nique Clifford’s girlfriend?
Nique Clifford has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Nique Clifford married?
There is no verified public information confirming that Nique Clifford is married or has a wife.
Does Nique Clifford have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports indicating that Nique Clifford has children.
Who are Nique Clifford’s parents?
Nique Clifford’s parents are Akai Clifford and Angelique Clifford, also known as Angel. His father has worked as a business banker, while his mother has worked as a benefits supervisor.
Who is Nique Clifford’s father?
His father is Akai Clifford, a former high school basketball player who helped introduce him to the sport and named him after NBA legend Dominique Wilkins.
Who is Nique Clifford’s mother?
His mother is Angelique Clifford, commonly known as Angel. She supported his academic and basketball development throughout his childhood and college career.
How many siblings does Nique Clifford have?
Nique Clifford has no siblings. He is the only child of Akai and Angelique Clifford, according to his official University of Colorado athletics biography.
Does Nique Clifford have a brother or sister?
No. Nique Clifford is an only child and does not have any publicly documented brothers or sisters.
What is Nique Clifford’s real name?
His full name is Dominique Akai Clifford. His father named him after former NBA star Dominique Wilkins.
Where is Nique Clifford’s family from?
Nique Clifford was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His father grew up in Pasadena, California, while his parents established their family in Colorado.
What NBA team does Nique Clifford play for?
Nique Clifford plays for the Sacramento Kings. He was selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
