Penn State was represented by a pair of recent alumni during the 2025-26 NBA season, with Jalen Pickett (‘23) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (‘25) suiting up for the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.
Pickett, during his third professional season, continued to expand his role with the team. He reached a career high 50 games played, including 16 starts, as Denver posted a 54-28 record and finished second in the Northwest Division. The Nuggets made the playoffs before being bounced in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nittany Lion posted career bests of 5.2 points, 2.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game while seeing 16.1 minutes. He peaked with a 29-point performance during a 125-124 overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, adding seven assists and five rebounds to his career night.
Konan Niederhauser also served in a rotational role this season, appearing in 41 games with Los Angeles before a ligament tear cut his season short. Prior to injury, Konan Niederhauser was averaging 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 10.3 minutes per contest. He saw an expanded role down the stretch, averaging 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds during his final five games.
Penn State’s first-ever first-round draft selection peaked with 16 points on two separate occasions and reached double digit scoring six times. He also hit 10 rebounds during a win over the Utah Jazz in January.
Konan Niederhauser has three seasons remaining on his rookie contract, while Pickett has a fourth-year option the Nuggets are expected to pick up.
With no Penn State players signing contracts this offseason, it’s likely they remain as the only Nittany Lions in the league next season.
