LOS ANGELES — The LA Clippers will have a strong presence during NBA All-Star Weekend, as rookie center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser has been selected to compete in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars showcase, the league announced today.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES — The LA Clippers will have a strong presence during NBA All-Star Weekend, as rookie center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser has been selected to compete in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars showcase, the league announced today.
Niederhäuser will represent the San Diego Clippers and the NBA G League in the annual event, which highlights the NBA’s top rookies and second-year players. The Rising Stars competition will be played Friday, Feb. 13, at the Clippers’ new home, Intuit Dome, as part of NBA All-Star 2026 festivities.
The event features a mini-tournament format with four teams and three games, offering young players a national stage and a glimpse into the league’s future.
G League Impact
Niederhäuser, 22, has been dominant with San Diego this season, appearing in nine games — all starts — while averaging 14.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 27.8 minutes per contest. The 7-footer is shooting an efficient 57.1% from the field and 70.8% from the free-throw line, anchoring the Clippers’ G League affiliate on both ends of the floor.
The Swiss center has recorded four double-doubles and scored in double figures in every game he’s played for San Diego. His most impressive performance came Dec. 9 against the Valley Suns, when he posted a season-high 18 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, showcasing the interior presence and motor that made him an intriguing draft prospect.
Contributing in Los Angeles
Niederhäuser has also seen steady action at the NBA level during his rookie campaign. In 25 games with Los Angeles, he is averaging 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting a remarkable 66% from the field. He has scored in double figures twice and pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds on Jan. 1 against Utah, providing valuable minutes off the bench in the frontcourt.
While his offensive opportunities have been limited at the NBA level, his rim protection, rebounding instincts, and efficiency around the basket have stood out — traits that translate well as he continues to develop.
From Draft Night to Rising Star
The Clippers selected Niederhäuser with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Penn State Nittany Lions men’s basketball, viewing him as a long-term investment with two-way potential. Less than a year later, his Rising Stars selection underscores both his production and progress in the Clippers’ development system.
For Niederhäuser, the Rising Stars Game represents more than an All-Star Weekend appearance — it’s a milestone moment and validation of his growth during his first professional season.
As the Clippers continue to blend veteran leadership with emerging talent, Niederhäuser’s invitation to the Rising Stars spotlight offers a glimpse of what the franchise hopes will be a key piece of its future, starting in San Diego and building toward a bigger role in Los Angeles.