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Yanic Konan Niederhauser picked in 2025 NBA Draft, makes Penn State history

nate-mug-10.12.14by: Nate Bauer06/26/25NateBauerBWI
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Penn State center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Syndication: Pocono Record)

The improbable has become reality for Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

Continuing a rapid ascent that began with his transfer to Penn State from Northern Illinois last offseason, moved through the NBA Draft process while maintaining his college eligibility, and culminated in a decision to turn pro, the 7-footer from Switzerland has been selected.

With the 30th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers chose Konan Niederhauser with the final selection in the first round. The selection makes him the highest overall pick in Penn State basketball history, surpassing Jalen Pickett’s No. 32 spot to the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

Yanic Konan Niederhauser selected in NBA Draft

Konan Niederhauser’s rise has been remarkably fast. He capitalized on individual meetings and workouts with teams, participated in both the NBA G League Elite Camp and the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago in May, and ultimately heard his name called in Brooklyn on Wednesday evening.

“Sometimes the path is different for everybody, and the timing is different for everybody. Yanic took advantage of the opportunities he had here in the last few weeks to get closer to his dream sooner than we all maybe thought,” said Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades. “The way he’s handled it all, the way his family and his agency have handled it – it’s all been so professional.

“We recruited the right type of kid. Penn State’s his home, and he’s made an incredible impact on all of us. I’m super excited for him, I really am. That’s why we try to go out and get players like that – so we can help them reach their dream. He’s doing it sooner than maybe we all thought, and I’m proud.”

Breaking out

Last season with the Nittany Lions, Konan Niederhauser averaged 16.4 points over the final five games, played 32.2 minutes per game, and realized the potential Penn State’s staff had long believed he possessed.

Most notably during the draft process, his unique athleticism stood out. He posted the top marks at the NBA Combine in standing vertical leap (33.5 inches), max vertical leap (37.0 inches), shuttle run (2.84 seconds), and three-quarter sprint (3.20 seconds).

That athleticism reflected a personal identity built on constant development. Throughout his time with the Nittany Lions, Konan Niederhauser showed his capacity to grow into a difference-maker.

“I just felt really good when we were recruiting Yanic – that he really wanted to get after it and work. And he really has. He’s very coachable. I think that’s helped,” Rhoades said. “He picked the right place to showcase his skill set. With our style of play, a versatile big guy like him could show what he could do. He made a great decision.

“But even more than that, over the last month or two, he’s shown a real hunger to improve. When he’s had good days, he’s built on them. When he’s had a bad day or a bad game, he’s taken it to heart and worked to get better. His approach since arriving here on June 6 last year is the reason he’s become the player he is now – and I think he’s hungry to reach even greater heights, which is refreshing.”

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