"With the 17th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Jalen Hood-Schifino from Indiana University." It was a call by Adam Silver that seemingly signaled a change of pace for an organization that has long overlooked the need to develop talent from within.
Unfortunately, Hood-Schifino battled injuries and a coaching staff that didn't seem to see his immediate value en route to a rookie season to forget.
Hood-Schifino appeared in 21 NBA games as a rookie, averaging a mere 5.2 minutes per appearance. A back injury that required surgery became the headline, but long before he was forced to call it a season, the Lakers had squandered a chance to develop him alongside their proven players.
Hood-Schifino couldn't even find the court when key reserves began dropping like flies during an injury-plagued 2023-24 season that should've created an opportunity for playing time.
Instead, Hood-Schifino played 15 games in the G League and rarely saw the court in the NBA. He received upwards of 10 minutes of playing time in a grand total of three games—all of which were played in November.
In the first preseason game of the 2024-25 season, however, Hood-Schifino offered an instant reminder of what the Lakers overlooked.
Jalen Hood-Schifino did a bit of everything in Lakers' preseason opener
Hood-Schifino played 27 minutes in the Lakers' preseason opener, thus instantly illuminating how differently he's viewed by the new coaching staff. He offered a bit of everything during that time, with quality contributions on both ends of the floor.
Hood-Schifino finished the game with six points, six assists, four rebounds, one block, one steal, and zero turnovers committed.
He struggled to find the bottom of the net, shooting 3-of-9 from the field and 0-of-1 from beyond the arc. Even still, Hood-Schifino's well-rounded performance functioned as a reminder of why the Lakers were intrigued by him in the first place.
The 21-year-old may need time to refine his skill set, but he offers value in every phase of the game—something teammate Rui Hachimura brought attention to ahead of the preseason opener.
The Jalen Hood-Schifino training camp hype train continues with Rui Hachimura saying he has stood out among the young guys when it comes to improvements: pic.twitter.com/YVgHzIdfoo
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) October 3, 2024
During the preseason opener, Hood-Schifino looked comfortable with the ball in his hands. He was precise and determined as a facilitator, tallying six assists to no turnovers. He did so while both operating against set defenses and getting his team out in transition.
Defensively, Hood-Schifino offered a reminder of how dangerous his 6'10.25" wingspan can be with active hands in the passing lanes and an extended arm contesting shots.
As the Lakers craft what Redick expects to be a nine-man rotation, Hood-Schifino looks the part of an invaluable piece. He has the physical tools to thrive defensively, as well as the offensive versatility to create for others and space the floor—see: 43.2 percent shooting from three in the G League.
If the Lakers allow Hood-Schifino to play through his mistakes and learn on the fly, then they could have a truly dynamic two-way player to help anchor the future of the organization.