Yanic Konan Niederhauser Position: Center Height: 6’11.25” Weight: 242.6 lbs Wingspan: 7’3.25” Age: 22

Offense Yanic Konan Niederhauser’s offensive appeal lies in his clarity of role and elite physical tools. He is a classic rim-running, lob-catching, vertical-spacing big who thrives as a finisher and screener. At 6'11" with a 9’3” standing reach and 37” max vertical, he brings elite explosiveness and length even among NBA centers. He ranked in the 88th percentile as a pick-and-roll finisher and 95th percentile in transition, per Synergy, a testament to his speed, hands, and aggressive rim-seeking approach. With 65 dunks on the year and 67% shooting at the rim, he brings consistent play-finishing gravity that warps defenses. His finishing isn’t just reliant on verticality, as he’s a capable below-the-rim scorer with soft touch and refined footwork. He seals defenders with power, uses drop steps and spin moves effectively, and finishes with either hand. His offensive rebounding (2.1 per game) bolsters his value, as he’s adept at creating second-chance points from deep post seals and missed dump-offs. While he’s not a post-up hub, Niederhauser shows enough feel and coordination to punish switches or exploit deep position. There’s also a glimmer of shooting potential. His career 21.6% from three (on low volume) and 64.8% free-throw clip don’t scream spacing, but his shot mechanics are clean and fluid. There’s touch around the basket, a history of hitting a few jumpers in college (including 29% from three as a sophomore), and evidence that he’s not a complete non-shooter. Developing even a short-corner or elbow jumper could add another layer to his offensive utility. He plays within himself, doesn’t hijack possessions, and makes simple, smart decisions. Though he won’t stretch defenses today or facilitate from the elbows, his consistency as a screener, finisher, and transition threat already profiles as NBA-ready. Defense Niederhauser’s greatest NBA tool is his shot-blocking. He led the Big Ten in blocks (2.3 BPG), finished 13th nationally, and posted a 10.2 BLK%. His length, timing, and ability to cover ground quickly make him a constant presence around the rim. He blocks with both hands, doesn’t chase every play out of control, and maintains verticality well. His weak-side rotations are timely, and he rarely bites on pump fakes. There’s clear deterrence when he’s patrolling the paint. In post defense, Niederhauser is equally reliable. His size, strength, and positioning make him tough to back down. He absorbs contact, uses his hips and chest to wall off space, and possesses enough lateral agility to handle spins and face-up actions. Even when opponents score, they’re forced into contested, lower-efficiency looks. His ability to show at the level or hedge is passable. Penn State often used him in show-and-recover schemes, and he was comfortable disrupting actions before retreating into position. That said, his mobility does have limits. His first step is a bit slow, and he sometimes struggles to recover after hedging out. While he’s not a statue, he's not particularly fluid laterally, and high-speed or shifty guards can exploit him if he’s pulled too far from the rim. Closeouts and defending in space are weaker spots. His technique and foot placement can be inconsistent, as he’ll open up too early, take wide steps, or close too cautiously to avoid being beaten. He’s not the kind of switch big that can consistently hang on the perimeter, and it’s unlikely he’ll ever be scheme-versatile enough to defend in five-out systems without sacrificing defensive integrity. Still, his rim protection, rebounding, and interior discipline are so strong that most NBA teams will be happy to plant him in a drop or hybrid scheme and let him anchor the paint. He doesn’t overhelp, understands personnel, and rarely loses composure. Looking Ahead Yanic Konan Niederhauser isn’t flashy, but he’s built for a role that every NBA team values. He’s massive, hyper-athletic, an elite shot-blocker, and a rim-finishing machine who doesn’t need touches to impact winning. His combine measurements and vertical numbers rank among the best ever for centers, and he validated that with efficient scrimmage play, showcasing high-level roll gravity, smart positioning, and interior dominance on both ends. He’s not a floor spacer or a switchable big, and he won’t anchor a motion offense. But for teams in need of a plug-and-play rim protector and lob target, Niederhauser is an obvious solution. He plays hard, processes well, and has shown steady development across multiple college contexts and leagues. There’s a Daniel Gafford-esque blueprint in place here, an athletic big who thrives in defined roles and gradually adds polish with time. Whether he stays in the draft or returns to Penn State, Niederhauser’s arrow is pointing up. Expect him to draw strong second-round or two-way consideration, especially for teams that deploy drop coverage and need reliable big-man depth.