Penn State began its 2024-25 season with low expectations from the broader college basketball and Big Ten media, however the Nittany Lion faithful expected the team to at least replicate its 9-11 conference record the previous season.
It was a pleasant start for Penn State, kicking off the season with a 12-2 record, including a blowout win over the Big Ten consensus preseason No. 1 Purdue, while both losses fell under the quad one category.
From there, Penn State fell into a free-fall, losing 11 of its next 12 games, including heartbreaking last-possession losses to Oregon, Iowa, and Michigan. However, there was one massive bright spot for head coach Mike Rhoades.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser transferred from Northern Illinois where he played under 20 minutes per game. He came to Penn State and was expected to fill the starting center spot in Rhoades’s lineup, he did that, and a lot more.
Niederhauser finished the season averaging 12.9 points and 2.3 blocks per game on 61% shooting from the floor. His 2.3 blocks per game had him tied for 11th in all of college basketball.
On April 2nd, Niederhauser made a huge announcement on his instagram, declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser declares for 2025 NBA Draft
I don’t believe this is too surprising, Niederhauser has the length and talent to be a potential NBA prospect, and it should be great news that he will return to Penn State if he withdraws from the draft.
Penn State fans were concerned he might transfer out of State College, but that will not be the case.
On NBAdraft.net, Niederhauser is not ranked in the top 100 prospects, and he is also not ranked in Tankathon’s top 76 Big Board.
I would expect Niederhauser to withdraw his name from the draft. He improved significantly as the season progressed, especially late in conference play, but still has a lot more to work on. His touch around the rim was inconsistent and found himself in some poor positions on defense.
There’s a lot more good to Niederhauser though, he’s an impeccable shot blocker with his rangy frame, something NBA teams are always looking for. WIth another year at Penn State, I fully believe Niederhauser to be an NBA draft selection.
May 28th is the deadline for college players to withdraw from the NBA draft if they wish to maintain their NCAA eligibility.
Over the last two years, there were an average of 77 players invited to the draft combine. Whether or not Niederhauser gets an invitation to a combine might be a key indicator on his next decision.