Yanic Konan Niederhauser is making the most of his rookie campaign - and now the rest of the league is taking notice.
The LA Clippers’ first-round pick has officially been named to the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Game, a well-earned nod that places him among the top young talent in the league. What makes this moment even more special? He’ll be representing the Clippers without even leaving home, as this year’s Rising Stars showcase takes place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
For Niederhauser, this isn’t just a milestone - it’s a statement.
The 6-foot-10 forward out of Penn State entered the league with more questions than answers. His age, raw skill set, and unconventional path through the G-League had some scratching their heads on draft night. But fast forward to midseason, and Niederhauser has flipped the narrative entirely.
From the preseason on, he’s been grinding - learning the system, improving his feel for the game, and capitalizing on every opportunity. When the Clippers needed depth and energy, Niederhauser stepped in and didn’t just hold his own - he delivered.
And now he’s the only Clipper currently named to an All-Star Weekend event, though there’s still a chance stars like Kawhi Leonard or James Harden join him in the festivities.
But let’s not lose sight of what this Rising Stars selection means. The NBA doesn’t hand these out lightly. Alongside fellow G-League standouts like Yang Hansen and Alijah Martin, Niederhauser earned his spot by showing real promise - not in flashes, but in meaningful moments.
Look at the numbers: 25 NBA games, 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, while shooting an eye-popping 66% from the field. Those aren’t gaudy stats, but they don’t tell the whole story.
What does? A perfect 7-for-7, 16-point performance against the Wizards.
Or the night he torched the Kings for 16 points and six boards on 75% shooting.
And that’s just the NBA side of things.
Down in San Diego with the Clippers’ G-League affiliate, Niederhauser has been a force. Nearly averaging a double-double with 14.9 points and just a tenth of a rebound shy of 10 per game, while swatting over two shots a night - he’s been everywhere. Offense, defense, transition, halfcourt - he’s making plays across the board.
It’s not just about stats, though. It’s about impact.
Niederhauser has stepped into real NBA minutes and made a difference - helping LA avoid losses, injecting energy into the rotation, and giving head coach Tyronn Lue a reliable option off the bench. That kind of trust isn’t given - it’s earned.
And when you consider that Niederhauser is the first Clippers draft pick since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to be named to the Rising Stars roster? That’s significant. It speaks to how rare this kind of rookie production is within the organization - and how much it matters.
The Clippers’ front office took a calculated swing on draft night, and so far, it looks like they connected. Niederhauser isn’t just a feel-good story - he’s a foundational piece in the making.
In a season where LA has its eyes on a deep playoff run, it’s the emergence of young, hungry talent like Niederhauser that could make the difference. For now, he gets a well-deserved spotlight in the Rising Stars Game. But don’t be surprised if this is just the beginning.