Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535618
3 6 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M T he G League welcomed 45 NBA hopefuls to its Elite Camp on the weekend of May 9-11 in Chicago, offering an opportunity for players to perform in front of scouts and front of- fice personnel. For the best of the partici- pants, there was also a chance to parlay a strong showing into an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine the following week. Penn State center Yanic Konan Nieder- hauser took advantage of his opportunity. Coming off an impressive effort in the last two days of workouts and exhibition games, he was among four participants to earn NBA Draft Combine invitations. In his first game at the Elite Camp, Konan Niederhauser posted 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in nearly 22 min- utes of action. The following day, he scored 14 points, going 6 for 6 from the floor while posting a team-high 8 re- bounds with a block and a steal. After the camp — and before the in- vitation to the Draft Combine had been extended — Konan Niederhauser spoke to ESPN reporter Jonathan Givony about whether he planned to stay in the draft or return to Penn State for his final season of eligibility. "I'm coming to the final decision by the end of May," he said. "I'm not going to make the decision yet. There is still a little process going on. But since these two days were successful … what we want to do is stay in here, go all the way. The final decision is going to come by the end of this month." Konan Niederhauser noted that scouts could see his athleticism and his ability to play above the rim, along with what he brings to the defensive end of the floor. He felt that he showed he could put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others in one-on-one positions. Determined to prove that he belongs, Konan Niederhauser said the feedback he receives moving forward will dictate where he goes. "I just want to be somewhere where I'm wanted, be somewhere where I can play, be somewhere where I can get developed. And also, being a solid draft pick [is im- portant]," he said. "At the end, it's going to be a decision for me and my agency, my people." That decision was further complicated MEN'S BASKETBALL KONAN NIEDERHAUSER STILL EYEING NBA WITH DEADLINE LOOMING NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M As of mid-May, senior center Yanic Konan Niederhauser was mulling whether to forgo his final college season and follow through with his entry into the NBA Draft. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS