Penn State Basketball Big Man Stays in NBA Draft

Penn State Basketball center Yanic Konan Niederhauser announced he will remain in the 2025 NBA Draft, forgoing a senior year in Happy Valley under third-year coach Mike Rhoades. Yanic Konan Niederhauser played just one year for Penn State, transferring after two years at Northern Illinois. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds. He was not named to the first, second, or third team All-Big Ten Teams, and his inclusion in the draft process seemed like an opportunity to learn more about what scouts wanted him to improve on before returning to school. However, Niederhauser impressed at the NBA G League Elite Camp, earning one of just a few invites to the NBA Draft Combine. After not appearing on any mock drafts just weeks ago, Niederhauser has been listed in numerous draft boards, some as high as #35, which is very high in the 2nd Round. Only first-round picks are guaranteed contracts in the NBA.