Ianic Konan Niederhauser remercie Nicolas Batum

A week before All-Star weekend, the Clippers surprised the entire NBA with a send-off Ivica Zubactheir headquarters, in Indiana. Two days earlier, they had traded James Harden (age 36) vs. Darius Garland (age 26). After a disastrous start to the season and despite a nice rise in the standings for a few weeks, the Clippers decided to rejuvenate their team and look to the future.

One of the big users of this shift is Janic Konan Niederhauser. Chosen in the second round last June, Swiss pivot became the deputy of Brook Lopez after the departure of Ivica Zubac. Despite seeing limited playing time in the early months of the season, the young center has shown his potential and athleticism to be a boon for Tyronn Lue’s team. Value for money is also good for their payroll with the aim of acquiring the players mentioned in the summer of 2026, then 2027.

During the first matches of the season, Nikolas Batum told us that we have to watch out for Janić Konan Niederheuser. The former captain of the French team has an eye and, as he did with Moussa Diabate during his time with the Clippers, he took the young Swiss under his wing. This one is also grateful to him.

“Nobody, he’s really a very, very good veteran. I’d even say more than that, he’s a mentor.”he told us ahead of the Rising Stars Challenge. “He talks to me a lot, gives me a lot of advice and shares all his knowledge about the game, but also about the NBA. I am very grateful to him.”

More comfortable with the ball in hand

At just 22 years old, Janic Konan Niederhauser also recalls becoming an interior designer during his last year of high school, when he lived in Germany. He also named his coach at the time, Joe Hafner, as the one who taught him how to set screens and how to interpret these situations.

“Before my senior year of high school, I had never put up a screen”he laughs. “And then I grew up and went inside, so I had to learn how to set screens, how to think about the pick and roll. Joe was patient with me to make sure he instilled all these fundamentals in me.”

Today, Yannick Konan Niederhauser has to set screens for Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers are also putting him in one-on-one situations more often. His athleticism allows him to put pressure on the defense by rushing toward the circle.

“A modern interior should be comfortable with the ball in your hands, he explains to us like this. I better recognize situations where I can attack the opponent rather than give the ball back to my leader. This is something new for me. »

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Swiss starter in the Clippers racket starting next season.

Comments collected in Los Angeles.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.