Longtime Kobe Bryant Fan Jalen Hood-Schifino Gets Special Chance With Lakers

Jalen Hood-Schifino grew up admiring Los Angeles Lakers' legend Kobe Bryant, and now he'll have a chance to make his mark on the franchise after being drafted No. 17 overall in Thursday's 2023 NBA Draft.

Jalen Hood-Schifino picked his college commitment date strategically.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pa., he often watched Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers highlights. So when it came time for the five-star recruit from Montverde Academy to announce his college destination, he paid homage to the late NBA legend.

Donning a gold, throwback No. 8 Kobe Bryant jersey, Hood-Schifino told the world of his plans to play for coach Mike Woodson and the Hoosiers. He did so on Aug. 24, 2021, also known as Kobe Bryant Day, as it represents the two numbers he wore.

"Kobe inspired me and still does," Hood-Schifino said in his commitment video. "Legends never die. He once said, 'The biggest mistake we make in life is thinking we have time.' He's right. My time is now. I'm 100 percent committed to Indiana University. Go Hoosiers."

Hood-Schifino's decision to attend Indiana turned out to be a great one. Averaging over 13 points, he won Big Ten Freshman of the Year and helped Indiana earn a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. There was no guarantee he'd take the one-and-done path to the NBA when he arrived at Indiana, but his development under Woodson made that a sure thing.

The NBA Draft initiates life-changing moments for all draftees, and Hood-Schifino's selection carried special meaning.

The Los Angeles Lakers picked Hood-Schifino No. 17 overall on Thursday night, linking him to his childhood favorite and the franchise icon he grew up admiring. Hood-Schifino became known for his calm and confident demeanor as a freshman at Indiana, but a moment on Thursday shook the mature 20-year-old.

"For me to get drafted by the Lakers is kind of surreal and kind of crazy," Hood-Schifino said. "I'm thankful to the organization and I'm super excited ... Sitting in that chair, I'm not really a person who gets too high or too low. Today, my emotions were like a roller coaster. So it was everywhere. To finally get that call and hear my name called, it was kind of like a relief."

In a post-draft press conference, Hood-Schifino explained why he thinks he checks all the boxes as an NBA prospect. He described himself as a big guard that can score at all three levels, while also bringing an unselfish mindset to get his teammates involved. On the defensive end, he feels his size allows him to guard multiple positions. 

When Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called Hood-Schifino to announce their selection, Pelinka told him their pre-draft conversation about Hood-Schifino's dedication to the game sold the Lakers on his future. 

Pelinka related this mindset to Hood-Schifino's idol, Kobe Bryant.

"His Mamba Mentality is something that he's lived by," Pelinka said. "It's a code he's lived by his whole life. You could tell he just didn't throw that out because he was at a Lakers interview. It felt like it was from his heart and genuine. He has a very, very serious approach to the game."

That call is something special. The moment Jalen became a Laker. pic.twitter.com/acNyzSEgzT

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 23, 2023

Pelinka said the end goal is for the Lakers to put a championship-level product on the court, and he feels Hood-Schifino is a lottery-level talent.

“He’s special. Very special,” Pelinka said. “They got a well-rounded young man that works his ass off on the floor. He’s a good young man off the floor. That’s it more than anything. The kid was just a pro. In college. I’m like, ‘How in the hell can this guy be this mature?’

Pelinka said Hood-Schifino's relentless work ethic will get him through the tough times as a rookie adjusting to the NBA. Playing alongside NBA legend LeBron James and eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis should help, too.

"Obviously, they're competing for championships," Hood-Schifino said. "For me to get drafted there, I'm going to bring it every day, like I said, try to impact as much as I can and learn from the guys that are there, especially from one of the all-time greats, LeBron James, and AD and the rest of the guys. It's going to be great."

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