Los Angeles Clippers rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser continued to gain valuable experience during All-Star weekend, scoring 11 points in Friday’s Rising Stars competition.
The young big man said much of his early development has been shaped by guidance from veteran centers Ivica Zubac, who was traded to Cleveland last week, and Brook Lopez, both of whom played important roles in helping him adjust to the NBA level.
“Having this guidance from these vets, man, they’ll be helping me and knowing they got my back, knowing that they will teach me every day gives me a lot of confidence,” Niederhauser told Janis Carr of the Orange County Register.
The No. 30 overall pick out of Penn State has appeared in 34 games this season, averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game while coming off the bench.
The season overall has been anything but smooth for the Clippers, marked by an ongoing league investigation, a difficult start in the standings, and significant roster changes at the trade deadline.
Guard Kris Dunn acknowledged the challenges the team has faced while speaking with Greg Beacham of the Los Angeles Times.
“We’ve dealt with a lot this year,” he said. “Our whole mentality throughout the year has just been to try to find a way. It’s been tough.”
Los Angeles Notes: James, Doncic, Niederhauser, Dunn https://t.co/ZQW7QIMNm8 pic.twitter.com/nO4DpTMW4U
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 14, 2026
