Rising Star: Yanic Konan Niederhausers Potential as a 7-Foot Shot-Creating Center in the 2025 NBA Draft

Introduction

Yanic Konan Niederhauser is a 7-foot, 243-pound junior forward/center from Penn State who is making waves in the college basketball world. With his elite athleticism and shot-blocking abilities, he has the potential to be a force in the NBA. However, he still needs to improve his fundamentals and develop his game further to reach his full potential. In this article, we will take a closer look at his strengths, concerns, and comparisons to other players in the NBA draft.

Strengths

1. At-rim finishing: Konan Niederhauser is a constant lob threat due to his impressive leaping ability. He also runs the floor hard on the break and displays good touch even when he can't dunk it. His pogo-stick leaping ability makes him a valuable asset in the paint.
2. Dribble-drive game: While he has back-to-the-basket skills, he also displays signs of an ability to drive from the perimeter. He has smooth footwork and slick spin moves that can get him into the paint and finish with a yam on defenders. His game reminds some of young Giannis Antetokounmpo's, though Giannis was already a two-time All-Star by the time Konan was his age.
3. Shooting upside: Although he made just 21.6% of his 3s in college and 64.8% of his free throws, he has a soft touch near the rim. There's a minor mechanical fix that could improve his otherwise smooth shooting release.
4. Shot blocking: He's an excellent weakside rim protector who rotates over with activity and desire to swat shots into the stands. He also racks up deflections, making him a valuable asset on defense. If his fundamentals and awareness improve, he could become more of a reliable rim protector than a shot blocker.

Concerns

1. Frame: He's extremely lean, so the things he did well in college may not work as much in the NBA. On defense, he could get overpowered by heavyweight bigs.
2. Fundamentals: He doesn't box out as much as he should, misses rotations on defense, and in general has a raw overall game. He'll likely find himself in foul trouble if he receives heavy minutes early in his career.
3. Passing: He logged only 22 assists to 48 turnovers in his final college season. He lacks passing vision and has a loose handle, so he often gets stripped on his drives.

Comparisons

Konan Niederhauser is often compared to DeAndre Jordan, another big man known for his shot-blocking abilities and athleticism. While he shares some similarities with Jordan, he also has the potential to develop a more versatile game if he can improve his fundamentals and passing skills.

Conclusion

Yanic Konan Niederhauser is an intriguing prospect who has the potential to be a force in the NBA with his elite athleticism and shot-blocking abilities. However, he still needs to improve his fundamentals and develop his game further to reach his full potential. For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my NBA Draft Guide.