Jalen Hood-Schifino Scouting Report: NBA Comparisons, Draft Rankings, Highlights, Stats
Contents
After senior guard Xavier Johnson went down with a season-ending foot injury, head coach Mike Woodson handed freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino the reins to the offense; he delivered. JHS, along with All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, helped the Hoosiers put together their most successful season in a number of years, bringing life back into Indiana’s program. See Hood-Schifino’s complete scouting report and breakdown below, including highlights, analysis, and combine measurements. Other scouting reports can quickly be found on the Lineups 2023 Big Board or Final Mock Draft as well.
Jalen Hood-Schifino Scouting Report
Hood-Schifino’s combine measurements were what was expected; he’s a combo guard, standing at nearly 6-foot-6, with a huge plus wingspan, which should help him play even taller than he already is. Further, he’s close to 220 pounds, which should make him switchable from 1-3 if he continues to work on his defensive skillset and agility.
Age: 19
Height: 6’5.5”
Weight: 217 lbs
Wingspan: 6’10.5”
Position: Combo Guard
College/ Professional Team: Indiana
Strengths: Hood-Schifino’s strengths are quite obvious; he’s a big guard with long arms who has the upside to defend multiple positions at the NBA level while boasting a tight handle, particularly in the pick-and-roll. As a matter of fact, JHS is one of the best P&R ball handlers in the NBA Draft this season. Further, his mid-range shooting and projectable shooting mechanics make him an intriguing first-round target because his offensive ceiling is very much untapped. Versatility is the name of the game in the NBA right now, and he could legitimately have the ability to play point guard, shooting guard, or small forward, which is extremely helpful for teams who want to throw out different lineups depending on matchups.
Weaknesses: Hood-Schifino had some monstrous games for the Indiana Hoosiers this past season, including a 35-point explosion on the road against their rival Purdue, one of the best teams in the nation. It seems like he’s destined for pro greatness, right? Well, for as many games as Hood-Schifino scored 20+ and seemed to control the game, he had just as many where he disappeared completely and often failed to eclipse eight points; there were ten games where that happened, including a 1-14 shooting night against Maryland. Hood-Schifino struggles to gain true separation in isolation situations, and his best games came when he was shooting well from deep or leaning heavily on the pick-and-roll to get him enough space for his coveted mid-range shot. On the defensive end, JHS did an average job of navigating ball screens as the on-ball defender but really struggled getting beaten by guards on straight-line drives, which is a huge no-no at the pro level. Lastly, JHS is a below-the-rim player, which means he will have to continue developing his finishing craft over bigger and stronger players.
Jalen Hood-Schifino Stats
| PPG | RPG | APG | FG % | 3P% | FT% | TO | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.5 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 41.7 | 33.3 | 77.6 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 |
Jalen Hood-Schifino NBA Comparison: Deron Williams lite/Spencer Dinwiddie
Hood-Schifino is a blend of a super-lite version of Deron Williams and Spencer Dinwiddie. JHS will be best used at the next level as a secondary playmaker, with a heavy emphasis as a ball handler in the pick-and-roll. Much like Dinwiddle, JHS is a combo guard with solid size and a slow, methodical game that can lure a defender to sleep.
Jalen Hood-Schifino Highlights
Hood-Schifino’s highlights show a player with an extremely tight handle that is never sped up by defenders. There are also flashes of shooting from both deep and the mid-range, which is his signature shot. Take a look at Hood-Schifino’s impressive freshman season highlights below, with a special thanks to March Madness YouTube Channel!
Jalen Hood-Schifino NBA Draft Ranking, Team Fit, Landing Spot
Draft Ranking: 25
Team Fit: Toronto
Toronto is one of the better team fits for JHS, as it might move on from Fred VanVleet this summer. If that does happen, the Raptors will need more high-upside guards who can handle and have the potential to be strong shooters, as that has been one of their weaknesses these past few seasons. JHS also fits into their mold as a versatile player who is oversized for his position and, therefore, can switch onto different players if needed.
Landing Spot: Toronto, Utah, Brooklyn, Charlotte
Hood-Schifino has multiple different landing spots due to his versatility. Between his height and length, he can play the one or the two, and in some rare cases, the three, as well. Most teams can use a secondary playmaker that can operate extremely well out of the pick-and-roll, and with his strong shooting mechanics, he should also be a candidate for a catch-and-shoot, 3-and-D guy in the future.
