Penn State basketball has added its second commitment of the transfer portal season thus far.
Like the first one— Xavier transfer and 6-foot-8 forward Kachi Nzeh— this guy is a big.
Per college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, PSU’s added a commitment from Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a 6-foot-11 forward who entered the portal from Northern Illinois.
This past season, Niederhauser, a native of Switzerland, averaged 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks over less than 20 minutes per game being used primarily off the bench Goodman describes him as a “high upside guy.” Before beginning his journey at Northern Illinois in the 2022-23 season, Niederhauser played in Europe. In 2021-22, Niederhauser played with Ehingen Urspring of the German Pro A league, spending time with both the top team and youth team. In six games with the top team, Niederhauser totaled 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Niederhauser’s also spent time with the Swiss Under-18 national team, averaging 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds during the 2021 U18 European Challengers.
Penn State needed to address the front court this offseason.
The team lost starting center Qudus Wahab, who ran out of eligibility, and 6-foot-11 Favour Aire entered the transfer portal the day it opened.
Nzeh and now Niederhauser certainly have size to them.
Penn State’s slated to have most of its 2023-24 roster back for Year 2 of the Mike Rhoades era. A big storyline will be if the team can retain its best player, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ace Baldwin. Baldwin has a year of eligibility left and hasn’t announced his intentions for next season yet. If he doesn’t enter the transfer portal and returns, Penn State will have a clear leader for 2024-25.
Niederhauser has two years of college eligibility remaining.
More must-reads: