With what feels like a fresh slate for Penn State men’s basketball with multiple freshmen in the starting lineup, it’s important to show some love to former Penn State basketball players who have made their way to the next level of hoops.

Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Niederhauser was an incredible story throughout his one year with Penn State. He went from a mid-level MAC player at Northern Illinois to an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. From there, he became the first-ever first-round draft pick in Nittany Lions history after being selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.

He delivered a strong performance in the Clippers’ final preseason game, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds along with 12 blocks.

The 6’11” and 242-pound paint beast debuted on the NBA court on Wednesday night, cashing in four points in four minutes in the Clippers’ loss to the Utah Jazz.

Niederhauser seems to be a depth piece for the Clippers and is one of two former Penn State hoopers currently in the NBA.

Jalen Pickett

The Penn State legend led Penn State team to the NCAA Tournament, where it won its first NCAA Tournament game in 22 years back in 2023.

To this day, if you’re talking hoops with someone on campus, I guarantee you his name will somehow come up in that conversation.

Pickett made his way to the NBA when he was drafted 32nd overall to the Denver Nuggets. He’s seen an increasing workload through his first two seasons. In his rookie season, he averaged 4 minutes a game through 27 games. During his second season in 2024-25, he averaged around 14 minutes per game in 49 appearances.

In April of his second season, Pickett recorded his first NBA triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against the San Antonio Spurs.

Pickett excels as a playmaker and as the Nuggets retooled their roster this offseason, Pickett and the Denver roster will look to make another deep playoff run.

Ace Baldwin Jr.

Penn State’s former defensive star Ace Baldwin Jr. signed with the Memphis Grizzlies to an NBA Summer League deal following the 2025 NBA Draft.

The two-time Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year appeared in one game with a stat line of two points, three rebounds, three assists, and four turnovers in 15 minutes of play. It was his sole appearance in the Summer League. Baldwin did not make the Grizzlies’ official roster for the NBA season.

Zach Hicks

Hicks went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, but was signed by the Boston Celtics to play in the NBA Summer League shortly after.

He went on to play in two summer league games, but did not make it onto the Celtics’ opening day roster.

In late September, the former Penn State forward signed with UCAM Murcia CB, a professional basketball club in Murcia, Spain.

Andrew Funk

Penn State hoops’ former guard made his way into the NBA with a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, allowing him to appear in five games throughout the regular season.

Funk also averaged 9.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game as a member of the Grand Rapids Gold, the Denver Nuggets’ G League affiliate during the 2024-25 season. The former Penn State sharpshooter shot 39.1% from the field and 36.8% from the three-point range in 33 games.

In July, Funk suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Summer League. He didn’t make it onto Philadelphia’s active roster.