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Penn State\u2019s standout 7-footer is off to the next step in the NBA draft process. <\/p>\n
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With each passing day, Penn State gets closer to learning the all-important final decision from its standout center.<\/p>\n
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is amid the pre-draft process for the 2025 NBA Draft, but he left the door open for a return to college. The center had a solid performance at the G League Elite Camp this past weekend, earning himself an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, which takes place this week.<\/p>\n
As Konan Niederhauser continues the pre-draft process, he has until May 28 to decide whether to remain in the draft or to return to the Nittany Lions for his senior season. Each option has some pros and cons to it, making it an important decision to watch.<\/p>\n
The argument to remain in the draft<\/p>\n
To say Konan Niederhauser\u2019s stock simply trended upward this past weekend is an understatement \u2014 it surged.<\/p>\n
For someone standing at 7-feet tall, the center proved to be an athletic freak during the camp this past weekend. His metrics included a 33.5-inch standing vertical, a 37-inch vertical, a 3.2-second three quarter sprint and a 2.84-second shuttle run. All his numbers combined would\u2019ve given him a 100.0 combine score, which would\u2019ve set a record for centers.<\/p>\n
Konan Niederhauser took part in both Game 1 and Game 3 at the camp, where he produced more standout numbers. In Game 1, he had 17 points on 72.7% shooting from the field, four rebounds and two blocks, while Game 3 saw him tally 14 points on 100% shooting from the field and eight rebounds.<\/p>\n
While his play style may be centered around a paint presence, the Switzerland native has a high motor, is a lob threat and a shot blocker. Those traits helped him earn an All-Big Ten honorable mention after a strong finish to the season, and it appears he\u2019s continued to flourish in those areas this offseason.<\/p>\n
If he continues to test well during the combine this week, it might be in Konan Niederhauser\u2019s best interest to ride this wave out into the draft. With some truly eye-popping numbers, I\u2019d be surprised if he goes undrafted \u2014 assuming he doesn\u2019t withdraw.<\/p>\n
The argument for a return<\/p>\n
Konan Niederhauser was always a good player heading into the weekend, and his numbers proved that. However, there\u2019s an aspect he could work on if he chooses to return for another year.<\/p>\n
The next step of Konan Niederhauser\u2019s development is bringing back a mid-range and long-range shot to his game. He emphasized that toward the end of Penn State\u2019s 2024-25 season, saying \u201cI want to be able to knock down shots again.\u201d<\/p>\n
How much progress Konan Niederhauser has made in the shooting department could be one of the determining factors in his decision, and the camp this past weekend provided a glimpse into where he\u2019s at.<\/p>\n
During an unguarded 3-point drill, Konan Niederhauser knocked down 14-of-25 shots, taking five attempts from each of the main spots around the arc. While a 56% 3-point efficiency was a strong showing in the drill, he might still have some ground to cover in terms of working the shot into in-game situations.<\/p>\n
In both games Konan Niederhauser participated in this past weekend combined, he took just one shot from beyond the arc, which he missed.<\/p>\n
As such, Konan Niederhauser could use his senior season to work this shot back into his game, which would allow him to become an even better draft prospect next year. Pairing it with his paint prowess, Konan Niederhauser likely would skyrocket even higher on draft boards than he is now.<\/p>\n
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