Jalen Hood-Schifino. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers rookie gushes over 'surreal' feeling being drafted by team

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 6/23/23

The Los Angeles Lakers opted to keep the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and their decision to select Indiana Hoosiers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino was well-received by many fans and analysts alike.

But as much intrigue and excitement as the team's selection brought, it's safe to say Hood-Schifino's feelings about joining the Lakers are in a class of their own.

When asked about the Lakers drafting him, Hood-Schifino couldn't even sum up exactly how he felt but gave some background into his Kobe Bryant fandom and growing up watching the Lakers, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball News revealed.

"It's honestly really crazy and kind of hard to say how I feel because growing up I was a big Kobe fan. I was always watching his videos, watching the Lakers. For me to get drafted by the Lakers is kind of surreal and kind of crazy." Hood-Schifino stated.

While the Lakers are excepted to build out a roster with the type of depth they had at the end of last season, it'll be interesting to see if the team's first-round pick can carve out minutes early in his career. Hood-Schifino, who played just one season at Indiana, showcased the ability to do a bit of everything, posting averages of 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He shot 41.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

In recent seasons, the Lakers' focus has been primarily on giving their young players plenty of time to learn and prepare behind names like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This has been the case with the team's early second-round pick (No. 35 overall) in 2022, Max Christie. The former Michigan State guard averaged 12.5 minutes over 41 regular-season games as a rookie

While there's always excitement surrounding incoming rookies, Lakers fans would be wise to temper expectations for Hood-Schifino's rookie campaign, barring an incredibly impressive training camp and preseason by the 20-year-old guard.

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