Former Penn State basketball player Yanic Konan Niederhäuser has suffered a season-ending injury. The 2025 NBA first-round draft pick tore a ligament in his right foot, putting an early end to his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Konan Niederhäuser landed awkwardly after blocking a shot against the Indiana Pacers on March 4. He was taken to the locker room and was later diagnosed with a Lisfranc ligament tear in his right foot. The 7-foot Swiss center now requires surgery, cutting short his promising rookie year.

Konan Niederhäuser had recently seen his minutes with the Clippers rise, and an increase in production followed. He was averaging 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 10.3 minutes per game in 41 appearances. 

As a junior, Konan Niederhäuser started 29 games for the Nittany Lions. He averaged 12.9 points per game, along with a team-leading 6.3 rebounds per game and a Big Ten-best 2.3 blocks per game. Over the season, he recorded 19 games with double-digit points, five games with double-digit rebounds, and four double-doubles. His performances landed him an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and a spot in the NBA via the 30th pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He was Penn State’s first-ever player to be selected in the first round.