Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Niederhauser's story starts with a bit of history — the Swiss big became the first Penn State player ever taken in the first round when the Clippers grabbed him 30th in 2025. His game is straightforward in the best way: a long, springy rim-runner who finishes lobs, protects the paint and covers ground few centers his size can. He earned real rookie run for a contending Clippers team, appearing in 41 games at 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds before a Lisfranc injury in his right foot required season-ending surgery in March. The counting stats are modest, but the tools are the point: he led the Big Ten in blocks at Penn State (2.31 a game), and that rim-protection instinct is the skill that travels fastest for a young center. Health permitting, he profiles as a defensive-minded backup five with genuine lob-threat vertical spacing.