Jalen Hood-Schifino NBA Draft Projection: What Makes Him Stand Out?

Indiana Hoosiers freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino came into the 2022-23 NCAA season as an intriguing talent. Since finding his groove, the talented combo guard has become a popular name in NBA draft circles.

Coming into the 2022-23 NCAA season, Hood-Schifino was a potential multi-year collegiate player. Even after being the 26th-ranked prospect out of high school, many believed that it might take two years before Jalen would find himself in the NBA draft.

That belief has quickly diminished. Jalen Hood-Schifino has seen his draft stock heat up rapidly for the 2023 NBA draft. At 6'6", he has the versatility on the offensive side to be a dangerous weapon.

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Jalen Hood-Schifino NBA Draft Stock Trending Up

Indiana freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino

NBA scouts were torn when it came to Indiana's talented freshman. After some impressive flashes during the first half of the season, Hood-Schifino started to find himself mentioned as a contender for the 2023 NBA draft.

Those flashes turned into a sensational stretch of games for the 6'6" freshman. Over a nine-game stretch, Hood-Schifino posted an average of 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He also shot 50.4% from the field and 52.9% from three-point range.

The smoothness and poise of the game that Hood-Schifino plays stand out. He's shown some rapid improvements when it comes to his outside shots. One of the most fascinating developments in his game has been his offensive floor awareness. The playmaking upside for Jalen has shined in a big way.

If Hood-Schifino continues to trend upwards, he will get the attention of NBA personnel. Viewed as a potential multi-year collegiate player, he is now looking like a one-and-done talent. As of now, he is expected to find himself mentioned as a potential late lottery first-round selection.