Ace Baldwin Jr. was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, while he and Yanic Konan Niederhauser were named as conference honorable mentions and Puff Johnson was a Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree.
BACK-TO-BACK FOR ACE BALDWIN JR.
Baldwin Jr. became the first repeat winner of the conference’s overall defensive award in two decades (Kenneth Lowe 2003-04), as his 2.4 steals led the Big Ten and ranked 10th nationally. His 71 total steals were good for second in the conference and ranked 15th in the country. Baldwin Jr. finished the year as one of three players in the conference to have six or more games with at least four steals. His point of attack defense was pivotal in anchoring one of the best pressing teams in the country, as Penn State basketball ranked in the 71st percentile in press defense and the 85th percentile in press turnover percentage.
Overall, Baldwin Jr. finished the 2024-25 campaign averaging 14.0 points, 7.1 assists and 2.4 steals. He was one of two players this season to average at least 14 points, seven assists and two steals. In the last 32 years, only five other Big Ten players have averaged at least 14 points, six assists and two steals. Baldwin Jr. did it the last two seasons.
KONAN NIEDERHAUSER AND JOHNSON RECOGNIZED
Konan Niederhauser’s career year earned him honorable mention status as selected by the conference’s media. He averaged 12.9 points (61.1% from the field) and team highs of 6.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks (led the Big Ten). In his first season with Penn State basketball, the 7-foot Swiss eclipsed double-digit points 19 times, recorded four double-doubles and had three 20-plus points games. Over his final eight contests, he averaged 14.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
Johnson, who missed the final 13 games due to a hand/wrist injury, earned his second consecutive Sportsmanship Award. Before his injury, Johnson was in the midst of a career year, averaging career highs in points (10.2) and rebounds (4.4) while converting on career-best 54.3% of his field goals. Johnson’s on-court leadership was visibly missed, as the Nittany Lions went 4-9 after he went out.
Penn State finished the season 16-15 (6-14). After a 12-2 start to the year, the Nittany Lions went 5-13 in 2025, ending in 17th place in the Big Ten standings.
