Introducing Jalen Hood-Schifino: The PG for the Life After Lebron

Jalen Hood-Schifino has a promising future with the Lakers. Although his rookie season was underwhelming, he has a solid foundation and is poised to become a very good player in the years to come. At his peak, Hood-Schifino should resemble D'Angelo Russell in many aspects but with the added defensive capabilities that Russell lacks. He is a smart, adaptive ball handler with offensive versatility, fitting the "combo-guard" label well. While not a rim attacker, Hood-Schifino excels in mid-range shooting and has the potential to become an excellent three-point shooter. He is poised enough to take big shots but tends to work within the offense and take the easy shots the defense gives him.

The fact that he’s a 6’6" modern point guard who can play on-ball defense and switch on wing players shouldn’t be understated.

It’s also important to note that he is not a phenom and will need 2-3 years to develop—just like all rookies. Ultimately, he has the potential to be a 15-year player and a starting-level point guard, possessing the intangibles and fundamentals to fit the role of a "modern era PG." His current floor could be compared to Reggie Jackson as a sixth man and occasional starter, with his ceiling potentially approaching that of Jrue Holiday as a very solid "glue guy" and defender. I expect him to be a solid point guard who may not be a superstar but could earn a few All-Star selections and serve as a crucial component of a championship team.

To me, he’s "DLo with defense," although I suspect he may have a tiny bit more talent and slightly better intangibles.

Elephant in the Room

The decision to select Hood-Schifino over prospects such as Kobe Bufkin and Cam Whitmore likely stemmed from various factors aligning with the Lakers' needs and Hood-Schifino's specific attributes. His size and skill set as a 6-foot-6 point guard offered the Lakers a unique blend of playmaking and physicality. His ability to run an offense, combined with defensive versatility and potential for growth, made him a compelling choice for a team seeking depth at the guard position. Overall, his college performance, marked by leadership and a strong basketball IQ, aligned well with the Lakers’ vision for their future backcourt. Additionally, Hood-Schifino's fit within the Lakers' existing roster and strategic plans may have been more appealing than Bufkin and Whitmore.

Bufkin, in many respects, was redundant with the current roster and LeBron. While he had natural scoring, the team seems to emphasize wing defense, which Bufkin did not have as a natural strength. Whitmore faced scrutiny regarding his maturity and performance during the NBA Draft Combine. Reports suggested that Whitmore struggled with aspects of physical testing and overall readiness. His performance in drills and interviews reflected a lack of focus or preparation, raising questions about his commitment and professionalism. It was also rumored that he didn’t take coaching instruction and showed up to both practices and interviews 15-20 minutes late. It’s likely the team shied away from his immaturity, as he could be considered a coaching headache, a front office nightmare, and probably wouldn’t be well received by LeBron and Davis. In retrospect, you see the long list of red flags and wonder if he’ll ever truly reach his talent peak—the NBA has a long list of guys just like him that tend to be nothing more than seat fillers on bad teams.

Scouting and Abilities

Before college, Hood-Schifino was a consensus five-star recruit at Montverde Academy, where he won two high school national titles. Hood-Schifino met preseason expectations by leading the Hoosiers to a Round of 32 finish. During college, he initially shared ball-handling duties but took over as the primary point guard after Xavier Johnson’s injury. His partnership with All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis showcased his NBA potential, especially through effective pick-and-roll play. Hood-Schifino’s 6-foot-6 frame, mid-range shooting, and instinctive passing were evident, while his defensive skills allowed him to guard multiple positions effectively in the physical Big Ten. During his standout freshman season with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2022-23, Hood-Schifino earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Second-team All-Big Ten honors.

Defensively, Hood-Schifino is recognized for his potential due to his physical attributes and basketball IQ. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 215 pounds, he has the size to guard various positions and defend smaller guards effectively. His length helps him contest shots, though his lateral quickness is decent but not elite. He showed aggressive on-ball defense in college with good instincts and used his size for effective shot contesting.

Offensively, his shooting requires refinement, particularly from three-point range. He has excellent shooting form, but it’s likely he isn’t strong enough for the NBA distance. Also, while he can take the shot, in his early career, he wasn’t a spot-up shooter; he took many shots based on matchups, movement, and opportunities the defense gave him. He was a facilitator and scorer more than a true PG.

Point Guard Attributes

Hood-Schifino's point guard skills are particularly noteworthy, reflecting his capability to manage and orchestrate an offense effectively. Standing at 6-foot-6, his size provides him with a distinct advantage, allowing him to see over defenses and make precise, well-timed passes. His ability to handle the ball under pressure and make smart decisions is evident in his college performances. His leadership qualities were especially highlighted when he assumed primary playmaking duties for Indiana following an injury to Xavier Johnson. His composure in this role not only showcased his readiness to lead but also his ability to maintain control and execute the game plan. He was noted as being calm and unflappable. While he didn’t have any noteworthy last-minute shots, his calm demeanor did lead some to say he could be "clutch." It’s worth mentioning, however, that in the last year, it was said that the label of him being "too calm" is misapplied as he’s a quiet dude; the team will be looking for him to show more emotion and push some intensity.

One of Hood-Schifino's standout attributes is his proficiency in pick-and-roll situations. He consistently makes intelligent decisions when navigating screens, utilizing his size and court vision to either find the rolling big man or an open shooter. This aligns well with a modern offense, and especially with LeBron and Davis. His knack for reading defenses allows him to exploit mismatches and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Additionally, Hood-Schifino's ability to operate at different speeds is a significant asset. He can control the tempo of the game, transitioning smoothly between a methodical pace and faster breaks as needed. This versatility enables him to adapt to varying game situations and defensive schemes, making him a valuable asset in different game contexts. It’s also been noted that he controls his tempo and doesn’t let the game situation or opponent force a mismatched speed.

Though he may not possess elite speed or explosiveness, Hood-Schifino compensates with exceptional basketball intelligence and decision-making skills. His understanding of spacing, timing, and defensive reads allows him to make effective plays even in high-pressure situations. Improving his assist-to-turnover ratio will be crucial for his continued development, as it will enhance his efficiency and reliability as a floor general. Additionally, expanding his shooting range, particularly from beyond the arc, will make him an even more dangerous offensive weapon and further elevate his effectiveness as a point guard in the NBA.

Pelinka mentioned after the draft that he had "Lakers DNA" due to his work ethic, intelligence, and ability to handle high-pressure situations.

Rookie Year

Overall Hood-Schifino's rookie season as a professional was underwhelming compared to his hype. The coach's preference to rely on veterans severely impacted his playing time. And it was very apparent that the leap from college to the speed and intensity of the professional game would be an adjustment for a young point guard. It seemed as if his calm demeanor was out of sorts as he played a bit too slow and his instincts were a 1/2 step off. If anything his rookie year was closer to "incomplete" rather than anything else; it really just showed how much 1st year rookies have to adjust in their leap from the college game to the pro level.

In the 2023-24 season, Hood-Schifino spent significant time with the South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. His G League stats revealed his development and potential more comprehensively than his limited NBA minutes. Averaging around 17.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, he showcased his playmaking and scoring abilities and was the top player on the team.

Defensively in the G League, Hood-Schifino displayed promising traits. His size and physical attributes allowed him to guard multiple positions effectively. He showed potential as an on-ball defender, utilizing his physicality to pressure opponents and contest shots.

It should be noted that he had an end-of-season surgery: This procedure is known as a lumbar microdiscectomy and described as a minimally invasive surgery to fix a bulging disc. I took this more as cleanup and preventative maintenance after a rookie season, rather than anything serious. I took this as the world-renowned UCLA medical team, which is part of the Lakers' campus, is taking the necessary steps to ensure a long, productive career.

Looking Forward

As Hood-Schifino enters his second season, he is still a young player in need of a 2-3 year development period. But his intangibles are still there, his G League play validated his ability, and nothing suggested that he wouldn’t become the player he is expected to be. Irrespective of the draft day drama from the fans, JHS is still on track to be a starting-level NBA point guard and will be in the NBA for 15 years. With this criterion, he's a very good project. He’s also a valuable player asset.

As most players start to reach their veteran peak around 26, he’s still got 5 more seasons to grow. He’s likely to fit the need for "young, cheap talent" in his next contract; if not, he’ll have earned his big-money contract, and we’ll all be very happy to pay it.

In the upcoming year, I expect he will be a bench player. With JJ Redick and his staff, known for their commitment to developing young talent through playing time, he will get opportunities to grow and showcase his abilities. Let's also not dismiss the fact that the Lakers have a vested interest in their lottery pick. JHS will get playing time and will have a role on the team.

I expect he will receive around 12 minutes per game, with a role as a wing defender and short stints as a lead ball handler, albeit on a short leash. I would assume the team is also developing his three-point shot, but I think he’s a year away from being a legitimate three-point specialist.

It’s likely that DLo is traded as part of a new contract extension; as such JHS is likely to get a line-of-fire promotion to backup PG behind Vincent. I see that Pelinka made the pick for "Life After LeBron," and JHS’s ascension should put him on track to be the starting PG in 2 seasons and hopefully a few contracts afterward. I believe will be in the top echelon of PGs in the NBA eventually; it’s just that this won’t happen during LeBron’s tenure.

I can see a long career for JHS in LA if things work out. Pelinka got the pick right, it’s just that it didn’t match the hope for a new shiny toy and immediate help for LeBron fans wanted.