Neuqua Valley senior guard Nalia Clifford has no idea when she reached the career milestone.
Going into the Wildcats’ game Wednesday, Clifford was unaware she needed only 22 points to reach 1,000.
“I didn’t even know I was going to get it,” she said. “I had heard before the season started that maybe I was close, but I didn’t know how many points or how many games it would take.
“But my coach told my parents.”
Clifford scored 28 points, giving her 1,006 over her four-year varsity career, as visiting Neuqua Valley beat Sycamore 55-46. But she didn’t find out about her accomplishment until after the game.
“My mom had made a sign, which was sweet,” Clifford said. “Right after the game, she called my name, and I looked up and saw ‘1000 points.’ I was surprised.”
Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams was not surprised, of course, and not just because he had been keeping track. Clifford, a Wisconsin softball commit, has started since her freshman season but was only the team’s fourth scoring option during her first two seasons.
“It is actually quite interesting, the dynamics of her roles over the years, because when she first came in freshman year, obviously we had the three amigos – Zoe (Navarro) and Caitlin Washington and Kylee Norkus,” Williams said. “Her role was a true role player.
“She’s always had it in her. She hit some really big shots her freshman year, so it wasn’t a matter of her lack of ability.”
Indeed, Clifford’s job was to play good defense and move the ball around to the open shooters, including Washington and Norkus, who both surpassed 1,000 career points two seasons ago.
“It was a matter of at that time that was her role, and she fulfilled it,” Williams said. “Never complained, never said a word. She did everything she was asked to do. Sophomore year was similar.”
But graduation losses propelled Clifford into a starring role as a junior. She responded by averaging a team-high 15.0 points to go with 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
Even then, Clifford wasn’t focused on reaching 1,000 points.
“At first, I didn’t even realize that was a goal that I could get to because I was playing with Kylee Norkus and Caitlin Washington, and they both got it when they were seniors my sophomore year,” Clifford said. “That’s when I became aware of it, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s pretty cool.’
“I’ve known it’s been there, but I haven’t been keeping up with it. Game to game, it’s not really thinking about getting to 1,000 points. It’s more like doing whatever we can to get the win.”
Neuqua Valley’s Nalia Clifford, left, challenges Stagg’s defense during a game in the Hinsdale Central Thanksgiving Classic on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Naperville Sun)
That’s what Clifford did against Sycamore. The Wildcats (2-3) needed every one of her baskets.
“Honestly, I was just really happy we won,” she said. “We needed to win that game.
“We were going into it with a lot of energy, so I was really happy we won, and then that (milestone) was a nice surprise. Obviously, my teammates are great, and they were all really supportive about it, so it was just fun.”
Clifford has had a lot of fun over the past four years, during which she has played multiple positions. Last season, she was primarily a shooting guard, but she has been playing point guard.
“It’s nice to have that adaptability, I guess, to be more of a utility player,” Clifford said. “It’s nice to mix it up.
“I’ve been playing all sorts of different positions my whole life. I played a lot of point guard before high school and in high school became more of a role player, spot shooter. I just have a lot of practice in a lot of different areas, and that makes it a lot easier.”
But point guard is Clifford’s favorite position.
“A lot of these girls on our team I’ve played with for a while, so we have sort of a chemistry built up with bringing the ball up the court,” she said. “So it’s nice to be able to attack and kick it out and know where my teammates are going to be and just be involved in every play.
“We’re getting in the groove of things, for sure. I’m excited.”
So is Williams.
“She’s competitive, she wants to win and she feels that the world is on her shoulders, but yet the approach is crucial for her, and she’s starting to see it,” Williams said. “Last night, she made some great passes. She’s flying all over. I can’t say enough about her.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
