Yanic Konan Niederhauser spent just one season at Penn State, but that was just long enough for him to make program history.
Actually, the history part came after his time with the Nittany Lions had wrapped, when he was taken in the first round — 30th-overall — of Wednesday’s NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 30th by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)AP
And with that pick the 7-foot, 250-pound center became the first Penn State player ever taken in the first round of the NBA Draft. He also became the first Nittany Lions player selected since both Jalen Pickett (Denver) and Seth Lundy (Atlanta) were taking in 2023.
Konan Niederhauser transferred to Penn State prior to last season and averaged 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He also led the Big Ten with 2.31 blocks per game.
Video showed Konan Niederhauser sitting in a box, high up in the Barclays Center, when his name was called. He then had to sprint down to the stage.