Clippers rely on Yanic Konan Niederhäuser's fierce edge

LAS VEGAS — Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, a rookie center for the LA Clippers, showed improvement in a summer league game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Thomas & Mack Center. He scored 10 points on 5 of 9 field goals, contributing to the Clippers' 67-58 victory. Konan Niederhäuser, who was drafted in June, expressed his aggressive play and mindset, referring to himself as "Konan the Barbarian" after the game.

The game marked a breakthrough for Konan Niederhäuser, who is seen as a multi-year project for the Clippers. Despite his progress, there are areas where he needs improvement, particularly in scoring opportunities and defensive play. Clippers' summer-league head coach Jeremy Castleberry emphasized the importance of Konan Niederhäuser's conditioning and continuous improvement.

Konan Niederhäuser, who turned 22 in March, is mentored by experienced players like Brook Lopez, who joined the Clippers in free agency. Lopez, known for his development throughout his career, aims to guide Konan Niederhäuser in maximizing his potential. The Clippers hope that Konan Niederhäuser can learn to utilize his physical attributes effectively to make an impact on both ends of the court.

As Konan Niederhäuser progresses in the summer league, he faces the challenge of proving himself in a competitive environment. With his age in consideration, it is crucial for him to showcase his abilities and growth potential with the Clippers. Konan Niederhäuser is focused on channeling his determination and drive, inspired by the character "Conan the Barbarian," to become the best version of himself in the NBA.