Former Lakers draft pick showcasing potential with dominant performances

Jalen Hood-Schifino’s NBA journey has been anything but smooth. After being selected 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA Draft, his rookie season was derailed by injuries, significantly stalling his development. 

His time in Los Angeles ended abruptly when he was included in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Hood-Schifino was shipped to the Utah Jazz as part of the deal — only to be swiftly waived.

Now, the 21-year-old guard is getting a fresh start with the Philadelphia 76ers, signing a two-way contract on Feb. 28. While he has yet to debut for the Sixers, he has been making an impact in the G League with the Delaware Blue Coats, showcasing the talent that once made him a first-round pick.

Through his first three games with Delaware, Hood-Schifino has averaged an impressive 27 points and four assists while shooting 50 percent from three-point range — all in just 25.3 minutes per game. His last two outings have been particularly dominant, with back-to-back 30-plus-point performances and 12 made three-pointers over the three-game span.