How Former Hoosier Jalen Hood-Schifino Thinks He'll Translate to the NBA

Former Hoosier guard and projected lottery pick Jalen Hood-Schifino caught up with Big Ten Network's Andy Katz at the NBA Combine in Chicago to talk about how he believes he'll translate to the NBA.

CHICAGO — Former Indiana guard Jalen Hood-Schifino only played one season at Indiana before opting out to declare for the 2023 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old projected lottery pick caught up with Big Ten's Andy Katz at the Combine taking place in Chicago May 15-21 at the WinTrust Arena in the Marriott Marquis.

Where will @jalenhs go in the @NBADraft? 🤔@TheAndyKatz caught up with the @IndianaMBB star at the @NBA Combine in Chicago: pic.twitter.com/MEcRZtlZQ9

— Indiana On BTN (@IndianaOnBTN) May 17, 2023

At Indiana, Hood-Schifino started 32 games and was second on the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game behind forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, who's also at the combine. Hood-Schifino shot 41.7 percent from the field and showed he could tear it up on defense with 4.1 rebounds per game. He was also awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team by the media.

Mar 19, 2023; Albany, NY, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (1) drives to the basket against Miami (Fl) Hurricanes guard Wooga Poplar (55) during the first half at MVP Arena / © David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

"I'm the type of player that I'm never going to shy away from the bright lights or the moment," Hood-Schifino told Katz. "As you see whenever the ball's put into my hands, great things happened, and it allowed me to take off and have a successful season and put me in a position to potentially be a lottery pick and first round pick."

Katz suggested Hood-Schifino won't always be the playmaker now in the NBA, but the Pittsburgh, Pa. native and Montverde Academy standout isn't concerned about that.

"Really ready," he said. "I feel like that's what makes me so special is that obviously I'm able to play on the ball, but I'm versatile to play off the ball, and defensively I'm able to guard multiple positions."

Hood-Schifino is used to being a star player as a young standout for Indiana and previously his Florida high school. Now that he's approaching the best level of basketball, he's prepared to learn, grow and remain patient.

"Obviously you're not coming in to be a superstar," Hood-Schifino said. "You got to work your way in and earn minutes, and I feel like for me, me being the defensive player that I am, that'll definitely give me an edge over certain players and give me the opportunity to earn minutes right away."

In ESPN's 2023 draft projections, Hood-Schifino is predicted to go around No. 15 in the first round. Despite his likely induction into the big leagues, he's always keeping an eye on his former Indiana home even if he was there for a short amount of time. 

Mar 19, 2023; Albany, NY, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (1) talks with head coach Mike Woodson during the second half at MVP Arena / © Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

"We'll be really great," he said. "Added some good pieces, some big pieces, and Coach Woodson and the rest of the staff are doing a great job of recruiting guys and getting guys. The program is just going upwards."

The 2023 NBA Draft will take place on Monday, June 22 in Brooklyn, N.Y. 

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