Jalen Hood-Schifino: 2023 NBA Draft Scouting Report

A big guard with great feel and mid-range touch, will he keep improving on some of his deficiencies to become a starting-caliber point guard?

In today’s NBA, it’s easy to see why big point guards are the ones who make it. Defensive switchability and versatility are en vogue, and smaller guys get played off the court frequently.

Indiana freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino stands out as a guard who has size. He’s around 6’6” with a long wingspan (likely around 6’9”) and plays like a true point guard. His feel with the ball in his hands is outstanding, and at his size, he plays with a physical ability to get to wherever he wants to go.

With size often (but not always) comes athleticism. And while Hood-Schifino is tremendously proficient in ball screens and deserving of a high-volume projection with the ball in his hands, Hood-Schifino does not play a very athletic style of basketball. In fact, his vertical burst is one of his weaker points as a prospect.

Hood-Schifino had a memorable and wildly impactful lone year with the Hoosiers, helping lead them to the NCAA Tournament. He was in a great position to succeed, playing with one of the top players in the nation in big man Trayce Jackson-Davis. The pair formed the best pick-and-roll tandem in the nation, both equally responsible for the Hoosiers’ offensive success.

Jalen is a mesmerizingly poised ball handler and person. He’s unflappable through pressure and makes the right, simple play nearly every time. He showed throughout the year that he can counter nearly every type of ball screen coverage and is best served with a dangerous big like Jackson-Davis who can make plays happen off the short roll.

In order for Hood-Schifino to take the next step as an offensive threat, he’ll need to add more consistent range to his 3-point stroke.

Perhaps the most under-discussed part of Hood-Schifino’s portfolio is his on-ball defense. While he isn’t an elite athlete or one of the quickest guys you’ll find, his technique is excellent and he rarely takes plays off. He’s great at the point of attack and has enough strength to move up the lineup if it’s asked of him.

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Offense

Hood-Schifino is a tremendous passer. Because of his size, Hood-Schifino can see over the top of most defenses that will play more aggressive coverages against him. That enables Jalen to throw corner skips, hit corner raise shooters, and find the roll man on short rolls when he’s blitzed. The physical capability to make all those reads stands out as a great canvas on which the artistry of PNR playmaking can be displayed.

As mentioned above, Jalen has a great feel for what opponents are trying to accomplish in their pick-and-roll coverages and knows how to counter it. Against aggressive pick-and-roll defenses, with defenders showing high at the level and occasionally soft-trapping Hood-Schifino, he makes the right passes.