Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Niederhäuser is a Swiss center who reached the NBA as a first-round pick in the 2025 draft after a winding college career split between Northern Illinois and Penn State. Drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers, he brought size, defensive versatility, and international experience to the professional level.

Born Yanic Konan Niederhäuser on March 14, 2003, in Bern, Switzerland, he is the son of a German-speaking father and a mother of Ivorian descent. His middle name, Konan, was chosen by his father after Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in Conan the Barbarian. He was raised in Fräschels and started playing basketball at age 10 in Neuchâtel.

During the 2021–22 season, Niederhäuser played for Ehingen Urspring in Germany's Pro A League on both the youth and senior teams. After the season, he committed to Northern Illinois. As a freshman, he averaged 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 20 games. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 26 starts. After the season, he entered the transfer portal and moved to Penn State.

At Penn State, Niederhäuser averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 61 percent from the field. On January 30, 2025, he scored 21 points against Ohio State. He declared for the 2025 NBA draft and participated in the NBA G League Elite Camp and the NBA scouting combine.

The Los Angeles Clippers selected Niederhäuser 30th overall in the 2025 NBA draft. He made 41 appearances as a rookie, averaging 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds. On March 6, 2026, he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury in his right foot.

Niederhäuser has represented Switzerland at multiple youth levels and made his senior national team debut in July 2023 during EuroBasket 2025 pre-qualifiers.

Niederhäuser functions as a developmental big man with size, shot-blocking timing, and defensive versatility. His jump from Northern Illinois to first-round pick reflects significant improvement in a short time. In the NBA, his trajectory centers on recovering from his foot injury, refining his offensive skill set, and establishing himself as a rotation center.