Penn State center Yanic Konan Niederhauser has made program history. Niederhauser was selected with the No. 30 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in Wednesday’s NBA draft, becoming the Nittany Lions’ first player ever taken in Round 1.
Niederhauser is also the first Penn State player drafted since Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy each became second round picks in 2023. Niederhauser is now set to join Pickett, Lundy and Lamar Stevens as the only four former Nittany Lions currently in the NBA.
It was hardly suspected that the 7-foot, 243-pound Niederhauser would be a one-and-done product when he transferred from Northern Illinois last offseason. And despite preliminarily declaring for the draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility in April, Niederhauser’s return for his senior season still appeared likely.
That sentiment quickly changed, however, after a standout performance at the G League Elite Camp, which earned Niederhauser an invite to the NBA Combine. It was there that Niederhauser continued showcasing his imposing physical attributes and athletic abilities in front of an extended pool of scouts and team executives.
His testing numbers meshed well with his film from his lone season with the Nittany Lions, with whom he averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and led the Big Ten with 2.3 blocks per game. Niederhauser appeared to blossom into a sure-fire draft pick overnight.
Niederhauser is only the fourth Penn State player to be drafted this century.
