Yanic Konan Niederhauser’s NBA journey just added another chapter - and this one’s got a spotlight on it.
The former Penn State big man, who heard his name called as the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, is headed to the Castrol Rising Stars game. It's a well-earned nod for the rookie, who’s already logged 34 appearances in his first season with the Clippers. Now, he gets a chance to showcase his game on a different kind of stage - one built for the league’s most promising young talent.
The Rising Stars event is part of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, and while it’s technically an exhibition, don’t let the word fool you. This mini-tournament is a proving ground, and for players like Konan Niederhauser, it’s a chance to show they belong among the league’s rising elite.
The format? Four squads, three games, and a fast-paced setup that dials up the intensity.
The semifinals are played to 40 points, and the championship game is a sprint to 25. It’s a format designed to highlight skill, speed, and chemistry - and it puts pressure on young players to perform in a high-stakes, short-burst setting.
Konan Niederhauser will suit up for Team Austin, one of two nine-player squads composed of NBA rookies, sophomores, and G League standouts. His coach for the night?
None other than Austin Rivers, the former NBA guard who spent 12 seasons in the league before wrapping up his career with the Timberwolves in 2023. Rivers is now coaching the G League team in the tournament, and he’ll be looking to guide his squad through a tough bracket.
Team Austin features a mix of intriguing young talent. Alongside Niederhauser, there’s rookie guard Sean East II from the Jazz, third-year Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr., and explosive guard Alijah Martin.
The backcourt also includes Raptors rookie Tristen Newton and Heat second-year guard Jahmir Young, while the frontcourt gets a boost from Portland’s Yang Hansen. Chicago’s Mac McClung - a high-flyer with serious bounce - brings flair, and San Antonio rookie David Jones Garcia rounds out the roster, though he won’t be suiting up due to injury.
Team Austin opens the tournament against Team Melo on Friday night at 9 p.m. ET at the Inuit Dome.
The winner moves on to face the victor of Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac, which tips off at 9:55 p.m.
ET. The championship game is scheduled for 10:35 p.m.
ET - a quick turnaround that rewards depth and chemistry.
The Rising Stars showcase is just one piece of a packed All-Star Weekend. Things get rolling Friday with the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at 7 p.m.
ET on ESPN, followed by the Rising Stars games streaming live on Peacock. The night closes out with the NBA HBCU Classic at 11 p.m.
ET, airing on ESPN2 and NBA TV.
Saturday brings All-Star Media Day at 2 p.m. ET, including commissioner Adam Silver’s media availability, before the spotlight shifts to fan-favorite events like the three-point shootout and the slam dunk contest.
Sunday is all about the All-Star Games. The NBA Legends Awards and the G League Next Up Game lead into a unique format: three All-Star matchups, with the first two games determining the finalists.
The third game features the losing teams from the first two, and the All-Star Championship Game - set for 7:10 p.m. ET - crowns the weekend’s best.
All four games will be available on NBC and Peacock.
For Konan Niederhauser, it’s another opportunity to prove he’s more than just a late first-round pick. He’s a name to watch - and this weekend, the whole league will be watching.