Yanic Konan Niederhauser didn’t just show up to the NBA Rising Stars event-he made sure people remembered his name.
The 7-foot Swiss center, now a rookie with the Clippers, suited up for Team Austin in Friday night’s showcase, which pits some of the league’s most promising young talent-and a few standouts from the G League-against each other in a fast-paced, first-to-40 format. And while Team Austin came up short in the semifinal against Team Melo, falling 40-34, Konan Niederhauser made the most of his nine minutes on the floor.
He dropped a team-high 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, added two rebounds, an assist, and a block, and reminded everyone why he’s one of the more intriguing big-man prospects in this rookie class. The highlight reel? It’s already out there-multiple alley-oop finishes that showcased his vertical pop and timing, plus a smooth three-pointer that flashed a bit of unexpected range for a player his size.
That lob threat? It’s real.
And it’s not just about being tall-Konan Niederhauser has the hands, the footwork, and the instincts to finish in traffic. Add in the ability to stretch the floor, even in small doses, and you start to see the outline of a modern NBA center.
Right now, Konan Niederhauser is carving out a role as Brook Lopez’s backup in Los Angeles, a spot that opened up after Ivica Zubac was traded to Indiana. His minutes are limited-he’s averaging just 9.0 per game over 34 appearances-but he’s making them count.
He’s shooting a blistering 67.6% from the field, a number that speaks to his efficiency around the rim and his understanding of when to pick his spots. He's averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in those brief stints, but the flashes are there.
And when he’s gotten real run-20 minutes or more-he’s delivered. In four such games this season, Konan Niederhauser has averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 boards, and 1.3 blocks.
That’s not just filler production. That’s a glimpse at what he might become if the opportunity grows.
He’s also been getting reps with the San Diego Clippers, L.A.’s G League affiliate, where he’s putting up 14.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game across eight appearances. That’s where the development happens-more touches, more reads, more chances to work on the finer details of his game.
Konan Niederhauser’s rise has been steady. After transferring from Northern Illinois to Penn State for the 2024-25 season, he made an immediate impact in the Big Ten, averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks while shooting over 61% from the field. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention and turned heads at both the G League Elite Camp and the NBA Draft Combine last summer, eventually landing in the first round with the 30th overall pick.
The Clippers saw something then, and it’s starting to show now.
Friday night was just another checkpoint on a promising journey. Konan Niederhauser may not be a household name yet, but performances like this-on a national stage, against top-tier young talent-are how reputations are built.
The tools are there. The confidence is growing.
And if he keeps stacking moments like this, the minutes-and the impact-will follow.