INGLEWOOD — Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser tore a ligament in his right foot, putting an early end to his rookie season.
The 7-foot Swiss center was injured Wednesday night in a 130-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Niederhauser was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot and will require surgery, the team said. The injury involves damage to the ligaments or bones in the mid-foot.
Niederhauser, who was named to the Rising Stars roster as part of All-Star Weekend last month, took to social media on Friday to express his appreciation for the support the fans have shown him this season and to let them know he was staying upbeat.
“Right now, I’m doing fine. God is with me and will guide me through this chapter,” he wrote. “All I know is that I’m going to keep working and getting better so that when my time comes, I’ll be ready.”
Niederhauser said he had endured injuries before and promised to come back stronger.
“To everyone who has supported me and shown me love – you mean so much to me. Knowing I have so many people who believe in me gives me strength every single day,” Niederhauser said. “Y’all are the best.”
Niederhauser averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 41 games. After being selected 30th in last June’s NBA draft, he began the season in the G League, but since the Clippers traded center Ivica Zubac to Indiana last month, he was earning more minutes.
In his last five games, Niederhauser was shooting 52% from the floor and averaging 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while playing 18 minutes per game.
The young center said he is thankful for the “amazing season I had. I’m truly living the dream I’ve had since I was a little kid in Switzerland who first picked up a basketball. Every moment of this journey means the world to me.”
