Yanic Konan Niederhauser makes Penn State basketball history with NBA Draft selection

Yanic Konan Niederhauser was only in Happy Valley for one season. Still, it was long enough to leave himself etched in the annals of Penn State basketball history.

On Wednesday night, the former Nittany Lions center became the program’s first-ever first-round selection in the NBA Draft, going 30th overall to the Los Angeles Clippers. He is the third Penn State player drafted in the last three years, following Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy.

The moment dreams turned into reality 🦁💙#WeAre | #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/JOcxXs8Ww9

— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) June 26, 2025

Konan Niederhauser ascended up draft boards after declaring for the NBA Draft in April. Retaining his eligibility, the Swiss big man decided to forgo his final season with Penn State basketball after strong performances at the NBA G League Elite Camp and the NBA Draft Combine.

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Transferring from Northern Illinois last offseason, Konan Niederhauser was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention by the media after averaging 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in 2024-25. He led the conference and was 12th in Division I with 2.31 blocks per contest.

Following his selection, the program touted Konan Niederhauser’s rapid development under Mike Rhoades, “seeing jumps of +7.8 points per game, +3.1 rebounds per game and +9.7 FG% in his first season in the Blue and White compared to his career average through his two years at Northern Illinois.”

First Rounder! WE ARE pic.twitter.com/nGFmFfr8le

— Mike Rhoades (@CoachRhoades) June 26, 2025

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