Lakers News: Undrafted All-SEC Tourney Guard Joining LA Via Two-Way Contract

An intriguing new piece.

Former Indiana University small forward/shooting guard Jalen Hood-Schifino isn't the only new sharpshooting rookie swingman who'll be joining your Los Angeles Lakers in 2023-24.

Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times reports that University of Missouri guard D'Moi Hodge has agreed to terms on a two-way contract with LA, alongside former University of Florida center Colin Castleton.

The 6'4" rookie enjoyed something of a journeyman NCAA career. He spent 2018-20 playing for the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, before first transferring to Cleveland State University. While with the Vikings, he was named both the 2021-22 Horizon Defensive Player of the Year and a 2021-22 All-Horizon Teamer.

Upon transferring to Missouri, he averaged 14.7 points on a stellar .477/.400/.734 slash line, along with 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals, 1.6 assists, and 0.5 blocks a night during the 2022-23 season. That three-point percentage happened on a high-volume 7.1 triple tries a night. Although the NCAA three-point line is a bit shorter than the NBA vintage, a conversion rate that effective and that frequent seems likely to translate to the next level. For his playoff efforts, he was named to the 2022-23 All-SEC Tourney Team.

Hodge's specialty, however, is on the other end. He was under consideration to net 2022-23 National Defensive Player of the Year honors. 

The 24-year-old will split his team between Los Angeles proper and the club's NBAGL affiliate in El Segundo, the South Bay Lakers.

With Castleton and Hodge being named LA's two new two-way signings, one wonders what will become of the club's 2022-23 two-way players, power forward Cole Swider and point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. Los Angeles possesses three two-way slots this season, so there's a distinct possibility the club will retain one of those still-developing young prospects.

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