2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report for LA Clippers No. 30 Pick Yanic Konan Niederhauser
The LA Clippers have drafted Yanic Konan Niederhauser with the No. 30 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Niederhauser earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors in his lone season at Penn State this past season after transferring from Northern Illinois.
The center led the Big Ten in blocks per game (2.3), finished tied for 12th nationally, and he added 6.3 rebounds and 12.9 points per contest for the Nittany Lions.
At the Combine, Niederhauser measured 6'11.25" without shoes, tied for seventh among all players, and posted a 7'3.25" wingspan that ranked ninth overall and seventh among centers.
Niederhauser brings standout physical tools and a fluid frame that allows him to finish, protect the rim and move in space. His combination of size, mobility and length gives him clear defensive upside.
Of course, Niederhauser isn’t the most instinctual decision-maker and doesn’t bring much ball skill or offensive variety. He can also get caught out of position defensively and will need to improve his discipline at the next level.
Still, he was one of the biggest risers at the Combine, with scouts admitting they’d overlooked his impact at Penn State. With a fast-rising stock and a frame that fits the modern game, he may have another leap left in him.
Niederhauser ranks No. 42 on B/R NBA Draft expert Jonathan Wasserman's 2025 Prospect Big Board.
Realistic Pro Comparison: Jaxson Hayes
1 of 3
Los Angeles Lakers big man and former Texas Longhorn Jaxson Hayes shares similarities with the incoming Konan Niederhauser.
Both 7-footers are long, gifted centers, whose athleticism remains ahead of their processing.
Overall, they're easy-basket weapons and shot-blockers who have value on both ends. But they're vulnerable to making bad decisions.
Strengths
2 of 3
- Physical Tools/Athleticism
- Defensive Upside
- Finishing
Niederhauser, who became Penn State's first player ever drafted in the first round on Wednesday, can be a problem for opposing centers to figure out considering his knack for finishing around the rim, but also his ability to get out in transition.
Defensively, the proof was in his production last season. He led Penn state in rebounding on the year, and he was the Big Ten's leader in blocks.
Even if his offense wavers, Niederhauser should be able to hang his hat on defense in the pros, so long as he stays disciplined and focuses on staying in position—things he wasn't always known for in college.
Weaknesses
3 of 3
- Feel
- Ball Skills
- Defensive discipline
Opposing defenses may have a tough time feeling out how to stop Niederhauser when he's put in the right places. But Niederhauser could have a tough time adjusting to the NBA game, where rim-running bigs who can finish are a regular part of life.
Feel for the game, though, doesn't just apply to offense. Niederhauser will learn that altering shots is better than chasing blocks. And if he doesn't, it could limit the celing of what could be a very good NBA defender.
