Penn State men’s basketball may be in the midst of a rocky season, but its alumni are turning heads across the basketball world - from NBA hardwood to the G League sidelines. Whether it’s a rookie big man making the most of limited minutes, a second-year guard carving out a role on a title-contending roster, or a former forward thriving in the coaching ranks, the Nittany Lions’ footprint is being felt in a big way.
Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, Center, Los Angeles Clippers
For Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, the NBA learning curve hasn’t been steep - it’s just been narrow. The rookie center out of Penn State has made the most of his limited opportunities with the Los Angeles Clippers, flashing real upside when given the chance.
On January 14, Niederhäuser matched his career high with a 16-point performance, continuing a trend of efficient scoring. His recent outing against the Washington Wizards was particularly eye-catching: he didn’t miss a single shot and outplayed 2024’s No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr.
It was the kind of performance that makes coaches take notice - not just because of the numbers, but because of how he got them. Confident, efficient, and composed.
But the NBA can be unforgiving when it comes to playing time. With Ivica Zubać returning from injury and veteran Brook Lopez back in the rotation, Niederhäuser’s minutes have taken a hit. He logged five points - all from the free-throw line - in a follow-up game against Toronto, but didn’t see the floor in the Clippers’ rematch with the Wizards.
Still, Lopez is in the midst of the least efficient shooting season of his career, and both he and Zubać have struggled in pick-and-roll situations. That opens the door for Niederhäuser.
He’s shown flashes of being a modern big who can finish, move without the ball, and hold his own defensively. If those trends continue, a bigger role could be on the horizon.
Jalen Pickett, Guard, Denver Nuggets
Jalen Pickett is starting to look like a puzzle piece that’s finally found its place. After earning his first start of the season, the Denver Nuggets guard has strung together a strong run of performances that suggest he’s ready for more.
Pickett has started the last five games for Denver, and the team has gone 4-1 in that stretch. That’s no coincidence.
He’s hit double figures in three of those games, and even in the lone loss - a 110-87 defeat to the Bulls - he might’ve had his best all-around game since his 29-point explosion earlier this month. Against Chicago, Pickett led all Denver starters in plus-minus and chipped in 12 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds.
His season averages have climbed as a result: 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 46.2% from the field. Oh, and he hasn’t missed a free throw all year. That’s the kind of reliability that coaches love - especially on a team with championship aspirations like Denver.
Pickett’s game has always been about control. He’s not flashy, but he’s steady, and he’s starting to show he can be a valuable piece in a playoff rotation. If he keeps this up, he might just carve out a permanent role in Denver’s backcourt.
Andrew Jones, Head Coach, Toronto 905
Not every impact story is written on the court. Andrew Jones III has been writing his from the sidelines - and so far, it reads like a breakout season.
The former Penn State forward, who played from 2007 to 2011, has climbed the coaching ladder with stops in Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Toronto. Now, he’s in his first head coaching role with the Raptors’ G League affiliate, the Toronto 905, and he’s making the most of it.
Jones has the 905 off to a blistering start, leading the G League with a 10-2 record and an eye-popping +14.4 point differential - nearly double the next-best team. That kind of dominance doesn’t happen by accident. In December, he was named G League Coach of the Month, a nod to how quickly he’s turned this group into a contender.
A big part of that success has been the emergence of rookie guard Chucky Hepburn, the 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Under Jones’ guidance, Hepburn has blossomed into a two-way force, ranking top five in both assists and steals per game. He’s become the engine of a team that leads the league in field goal percentage and ranks top three in both steals and three-point shooting.
Jones has built a team that plays smart, fast, and connected - the kind of squad that’s not just winning games but doing it with style. If this trajectory continues, it’s only a matter of time before NBA front offices come calling.
So while Penn State’s current season may be a work in progress, its alumni are proving that the program is producing talent - on the court and in the huddle. From Niederhäuser’s flashes of frontcourt promise, to Pickett’s steady rise in Denver, to Jones’ coaching clinic in the G League, the Nittany Lions’ presence in pro basketball is alive and thriving.