Yanic Konan Niederhauser has spent the last two years adjusting to American life, specifically on the basketball front.
“[Compared] to Europe, I can tell college is different, it’s way faster and more physical. It’s more isolation [focused],” Niederhauser told reporters during summer availability.
Fortunately for the former Northern Illinois transfer, head coach Mike Rhoades’ style of play should be much more similar to European basketball, with a more team approach and focus on ball and player movement.
However, for Niederhauser to truly maximize his potential and fit for Penn State, the Swiss will have to continue to develop as a three-point threat.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
NAME: Yanic Konan Niederhauser
HOMETOWN: Fraschels, Switzerland
POSITION: Forward
YEAR: Junior
HEIGHT: 7-foot
WEIGHT: 250
CAREER
Yanic Niederhauser hails from Fraschels, Switzerland and got early professional experience in Germany.
During the 2021-22 season, the 7-footer played for Ehingen Urspring on both its youth team and its German Pro A League squad. At the professional level, Niederhauser tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in six games.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Coming to the United States, Niederhauser spent his first two years of college basketball at the University of Northern Illinois. He averaged five points, three rebounds, and over a block a night for the Huskies.
His sophomore year is when he really made a name for himself, turning away 2.1 shots a night and blocking 11 percent of his opponents’ two-point attempts when he was on the floor (both led the Mid-American Conference). Niederhauser was also one of the best offensive rebounders in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2023-24, corralling 9.2 percent of his team’s misses (81st percentile in MAC).
FIT
Niederhauser’s size addresses obvious weaknesses for Penn State (last in averaged rebounds and opponent two-point field goal percentage in the Big Ten last year), but his potential as a passer and stretch five could unlock the Nittany Lions.
“He’s a very good passer for being 7-1,” said Rhoades during Penn State’s local media day.
“As a big guy, his three ball is getting better and better… You’ll see him step away from the basket and be involved in actions… When you have that occur it creates space for our other guys to operate and that’s always good.”
In the NBA, big men who can serve as a hub on offense and keep the floor spaced (Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, Domantas Sabonis, etc.) are at a premium.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is not on that level of production (also shot below 30 percent from distance in 2023-24), but in Mike Rhoades’ progressive offense, the 7-foot Swiss could be the missing piece that completes his head coach’s vision.
