Lakers News: LA Rookie's Head Coach Raves About His NBA Ceiling

Could he make an impact next season?

Draft night in the NBA seems to always have people in a good mood. It could be because their teams just made moves for the future or just the fact that so many players will now get to live our their dreams. For your Los Angeles Lakers, they left draft night feeling great. They brought on a few good, solid players that can help them win next season and even picked up some undrafted players as well. One of those could have a nice ceiling in the NBA.

The team signed guard D’Moi Hodge from the University of Missouri to a two-way contract. The young guard showed defensive potential and good three-point shooting during his time with the Tigers, making him a great pickup for LA.

The Lakers are signing Missouri G D’Moi Hodge to a 2-way contract, sources tell the @latimes.

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 23, 2023

Missouri men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates spoke on Hodge and is excited for his future in the NBA with the Lakers.

“He has to continue to grow, be prepared for the journey, learn, listen and have his eyes wide open and be prepared when his number is called,” Gates said. “He has to be able to treat a G League game like an NBA game and his development will flourish.”

Per The Columbia Missourian

Last season for Missouri, Hodge averaged 14.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and shot 40 percent from distance. LA needs all the help they can get from beyond the arch so he could possibly make his way onto the roster if he can show something to the coaching staff.

Hodge will be given a chance to show what he can do at the next level soon enough. Los Angeles is looking to contend for a title next season but this signing signals that, once again, the Lakers scouting department may have found a diamond in the rough.

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