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Indiana Basketball: Five potential spots for Jalen Hood-Schifino post NBA lottery drawing

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Indiana basketball guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is expected to go in the mid-to-late first round in the 2023 NBA Draft. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery was completed on Tuesday night and while the San Antonio Spurs were drawn as the No. 1 spot, the rest of the lottery and first round was cemented. There is now a clear path for Indiana basketball guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.

Hood-Schifino is slotted to get drafted in the first round and has potential to be selected in the late lottery.

Here is a breakdown of some of the potential landing spots that would make sense for the former Indiana basketball guard — and Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

MORE: Indiana Basketball: NBA Combine measurements for Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trayce Jackson-Davis

Los Angeles Lakers – Pick No. 17

The Lakers have a really intriguing offseason coming up. Despite still ongoing in the Western Conference Finals, there are real questions about the roster this offseason.

For starters, point guard Dennis Schröder is an impending free agent, unrestricted at that. He has signed one-year deals in all three of his last contract agreements. The question remains whether or not he will want to sign a short-team deal, which is likely with the Lakers, this offseason or if the Lakers will want him back.

Then, move to Austin Reaves. Reaves has burst onto the scene this season. He is averaging 13.0 points, 3.4 assists and shooting 39.8 percent from three this season. But, his playoff push has put him in position to see a nice payday this offseason, when he is a restricted free agent. He is averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and shooting 41.7 percent from three in postseason play.

According to some reports, a multi-year deal worth at least $50 million is potentially on the table.

With question marks surrounding both of those backcourt players, there is a real need in the backcourt. Outside of D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers are in need of ball handlers and players who can play both on and off of ball. Hood-Schfiino has the ability to do both and his mentality is one that would mesh with a team looking to compete for an NBA Title in the final years of LeBron James.

Golden State Warriors – Pick No. 19

This is another intriguing potential landing spot for Hood-Schifino. There is no question that the Warriors window of winning NBA Championships is shrinking. A main reason for that is the age of its core. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are all on the back half of their careers. Getting players who can come in and compete immediately is critical. Having a backcourt player who can see significant minutes right away is critical in keeping Curry and Thompson healthy throughout the season and into the playoffs.

The other big question is Jordan Poole. The Warriors signed Poole to a four-year and $128 million extension this past offseason — but it hasn’t been a terrific season. Now, there are questions as to whether or not he is the real answer for this team as currently constructed. There is also a question as to whether Poole wants to continue being utilized in a sixth-man role.

There is a real path to where the Warriors decide to make a deal with Poole involved this offseason. If so, Hood-Schifino makes sense. The Warriors have gone very young with a lot of their recent draft picks and Hood-Schifino could add to that.

New Orleans Pelicans – Pick No. 14

When looking at the lottery selections, this seems like the team that could go with Jalen Hood-Schifino.

Right now, the Pelicans have no true point guard on the roster and mainly used CJ McCollum as the lead guard last season. Hood-Schifino can play both on and off of the ball and his ‘combo’ guard skillset goes with the players the Pelicans like to use in their backcourt.

The one potential knock with taking Hood-Schifino here could be the true knockdown shooting ability. He’s not a legit knockdown shooter in terms of off of the ball opportunities. At Indiana, his ability to knock down shots was more effective when he had the ball in his hands. The Pelicans utilize Brandon Ingram a lot on the ball, as they do with McCollum.

Hood-Schifino could be utilized more on the ball as McCollum is a very good shooter off of the ball as well. Regardless, the need is there for someone who can play the lead guard spot and the former Indiana basketball standout could be their guy.

Atlanta Hawks – Pick No. 15

A lot of mock drafts have Hood-Schifino landing in Atlanta. It’s an interesting option as the Hawks have a lot of questions to answer about their roster and where it stands.

The main question mark is what they will do with John Collins. Collins has been the subject of a lot of trade rumors over the last two seasons and was heavily rumored around the trade deadline this year as well. If the Hawks move on from Collins, that would give a bit more clarity to where they go with this pick.

Either way, however, the Hawks need more players who can create their own shot. Outside of Trae Young, there is a real drop-off on players who can create themselves. That’s been a big downfall for the Hawks in the playoffs the last few years — and a reason why their ceiling is maxed out right now.

Hood-Schifino would immediately step into a second-unit guy who could be given the keys much like at Indiana. His ability to be used in screen and roll situations would give the Hawks more life outside of just Trae Young.

Brooklyn Nets – Pick No. 21

If Hood-Schifino falls into the 20s, the Nets are a team that could feast on the opportunity to grab him. There are real questions surrounding the Nets backcourt behind Spencer Dinwiddie and Hood-Schifino would fit perfectly.

The Nets ended their championship quest at the trade deadline, dealing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Now, they are full of a young core including Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Nic Clayton. Hood-Schifino has the same gritty mindset as that group and would fit well coming in with the second unit if that were the case.

Adding Hood-Schifino to play more of an on-ball role would open up Dinwiddie to be more of a scoring option.

The Nets need to keep adding young talent in order to sustain the success they had late in the season with this core. Hood-Schifino makes all too much sense for them.

SEE ALSO: Indiana Basketball Mailbag: Mackenzie Mgbako, final scholarship spot, IU back court & more

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Indiana women’s basketball and head coach Teri Moren agree to contract extension

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The Indiana women's basketball program and head coach Teri Moren have agreed to a contract extension. (Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Indiana women’s basketball program and head coach Teri Moren have agreed to a contract extension, announced on Friday.

Moren, who is the reigning AP National Coach of the Year and the program’s all-time winningest coach, received an extension through the 2028-29 season.

Moren led the Indiana women’s basketball program to its first Big Ten regular season championship in 40 years.

Below is the full release from Indiana.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University and IU head women’s basketball coach Teri Moren have agreed to an extended contract that will make her among the highest paid women’s basketball coaches in the country.

Moren’s deal features an average annual compensation of more than $1.3 million, which ranks second in the Big Ten and among the top coaches nationally. The contract has also been extended by two years thru the 2028-29 season and includes more significant performance bonuses that can enhance the deal, including the following:

  • Big Ten regular and postseason championships;
  • Top three Big Ten regular season finishes;
  • NCAA Tournament participation and victories; and
  • conference and/or national coach of the year accolades.

“Teri Moren has clearly established herself as one of the nation’s best basketball coaches, and in doing so has elevated Indiana Women’s Basketball to an unprecedented level in our program’s history,” said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. “The decision to modify her contract not only recognizes the tremendous successes she has enjoyed during her nine years here, but also Indiana University’s commitment to continuing to elevate IU Women’s Basketball into one of the best programs in the sport.”

“I am honored and humbled to receive a contract extension from Indiana University,” said Moren. “I am incredibly proud of what we have been able to build during our time at IU which is a direct reflection of our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and fans who have all played a big part in our success. I am excited for what’s happening in the future of our program. A very heartfelt thank you to President Whitten and Scott Dolson for their support and their trust in me to lead this program for the long term. I am proud to be a Hoosier.”

The reigning AP National Coach of the Year and the IU program’s all-time winningest coach, Moren has compiled a 200-93 record (99-57 Big Ten) during her nine seasons in Bloomington. She’s enjoyed eight straight 20-win seasons, doubling the number of 20-win seasons that the program enjoyed in the previous 41 years.

She’s coming off a 2022-23 season where she guided the program to a 28-4 overall record, its first Big Ten regular season championship in 40 years, and its first-ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.  Her IU teams have earned invitations to each of the last four NCAA Tournaments and five overall during her tenure. Each of her NCAA-bound IU teams have won at least one NCAA Tournament game, while the 2020-21 team advanced to the Elite Eight and the 2021-22 team to the Sweet 16. In addition to the NCAA berths the team earned two WNIT invitations, highlighted by the 2018 WNIT Championship.

The program’s successes have also helped produce exponential growth in attendance at IU’s women’s basketball games. After averaging 2,708/game in the year prior to Moren’s arrival, average home attendance as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall reached an all-time best of 8,104/game in 2022-23, a 199% increase compared to 2013-14. After previously ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten in attendance, IU ranked second in the Big Ten and in the top 10 nationally last season.

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Mike Woodson ‘always looking to better’ Indiana basketball with final available scholarship

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The Indiana basketball program has one available scholarship for next season and Mike Woodson is 'always looking to better' the roster. (Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK)

As Mike Woodson and the Indiana basketball program approach the first segment of summer workouts, its roster is still not full.

Currently, the Hoosiers have one open scholarship for the upcoming season.

On Wednesday, Woodson made it clear — in order to compete at the top of the Big Ten and around the country, he’s ‘always looking to better’ Indiana basketball.

“We’re always looking,” Woodson said of his final scholarship spot. “Based on a lot of the players tonight that might pull out (of the NBA draft), there might be a player that falls through the cracks. I’m watching it closely and I’m always looking to better our team and if we can pick up someone, based on who falls through the cracks, then we will.”

The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline was May 31 at 11:59 pm and while there were some big names announcing their intentions on returning to college, Woodson isn’t going to go for just anybody.

With six new players coming in next season as of now, including three transfers, chemistry, role and fit are incredibly important.

“I mean I got really seven new players and I gotta figure it out in terms of how we gonna play, who can do what,” Woodson said. “So I’m kinda anxious to see this next week. A lot of the guys are coming back this weekend and getting them in the gym and see who can do what.”

The role that Indiana needs to fill is on the perimeter. The Hoosiers are lacking the consistent knockdown shooting it needs in order to raise their ceiling this year. As of now, a lot is being put on the untapped potential of the roster … mainly the young pieces.

Indiana has five-star newcomers in Mackenzie Mgbako and Kel’el Ware. It also has core pieces returning in Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway and Malik Reneau.

But, Reneau, Mgbako and Ware have combined to start just seven games at the college level.

The talent level is there, as is the versatility — something Indiana hasn’t had from top to bottom on its roster since Woodson took the program over.

When it came down to assembling the roster that is currently constructed, while the Indiana basketball staff had full control of the players incoming, there will be a taste of what Xavier Johnson wanted as well.

“Yeah, he asked me who I was interested in and I told him and we got a couple of the guys that I actually liked,” Johnson said. “We built a solid, solid team coming in.

“I would say from my watch, I think we have a pretty — a pretty unique, unique team. We’ll be more athletic than last year.”

So, as Woodson and the rest of the Indiana basketball staff look at its final scholarship spot, it’s one that is 100 percent open for use, but not one that will just be tossed around unless the specific skillset arises.

SEE ALSO: ‘It’s going to be my job to bridge the gap’: Mike Woodson’s vision for Indiana basketball is coming to life

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Indiana basketball senior guard Xavier Johnson gives update on his health: ‘I’m 100 (percent)’

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Dec 10, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Xavier Johnson (0) reacts after a three point score against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Besides the additions of Oregon transfer center Kel’el Ware and the commitment of 2023 five-star forward Mackenzie Mgbako, the biggest offseason win for Indiana basketball was the return of senior guard Xavier Johnson.

Last season, Johnson played and started in just 11 games before he suffered a broken foot on Dec. 17 after playing only nine minutes against Kanas. He would go on to miss the reminder of the season.

Towards the end of last season however, there were rumblings that Johnson and Indiana would seek a medical hardship waiver, which they opted to do, with the senior guard running out of chances to realistically get back into the rotation and contribute.

Going into the offseason, the potential return of Xavier Johnson quickly became one of the bigger storylines for the Indiana basketball program and on April 26th, it was announced that Johnson’s medical hardship waiver was approved by the NCAA. 

Mike Woodson and Indiana basketball had their starting point guard back.

“It’s been a long process, honestly,” said Xavier Johnson when speaking to the media on Wednesday night. “I had to see it all through, talked to my coach (Woodson) and my family. The best option was to come back to school just for the benefit of my health. I would say I thought I was gonna come back in February, late February, but I think it was best for the team just to keep competing (last year) without me and I’ll just be there to support.”

During the process of the medical hardship waiver application, there is not much that a college athlete can do but just wait and see what the NCAA decides based on the facts.

Waiting is exactly what Xavier Johnson did.

“I really just had to wait, honestly, I mean there’s nothing right to the process, but waiting,” Johnson added.

As a senior and the elite competitor that Xavier Johnson is, it certainly was hard for him to have to sit on the sidelines and watch his teammates at Indiana play without him for the second half of last season. When Johnson went down, the keys were given to freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino as the primary ball handler for the Hoosiers, who used that opportunity to play his way into a potential lottery pick in the NBA Draft.

Even though there was a chance that Xavier Johnson could have returned late last year, the best thing for Johnson in the long term was to sit out and have a better chance at coming back this season and playing a full senior campaign.

When Johnson got the word that his wavier was approved by the NCAA, you can say the wait was well worth it.

“It was a long process of getting my waiver, but once I got it, that weight was off my shoulders.” said Johnson.

“Coach (Woodson) called me and asked me if I wanted to transfer. I was like ‘what you mean do I want to transfer? Did I not get my waiver?’ He was like ‘yeah you got your waiver. Do you want to come back and play for me?’ I was like ‘yeah!’ (laughter).”

Besides Johnson, there might not be a happier and more excited person on this earth to know that his starting point guard, his senior leader, is returning to help captain the 2023-24 Indiana Hoosiers than Mike Woodson.

The coach-player relationship that Mike Woodson and Xavier Johnson have built these past few seasons is truly special. Woodson has a special connection with his point guards and really understands the value of having a great one like Johnson.

And as far as Xavier Johnson’s health heading into the summer portion of the Indiana offseason?

“I’m 100 (percent),” Johnson simply and confidently said.

SEE ALSO: ‘I think we are getting into more of what coach Woodson wants’: Former IU basketball player Christian Watford discusses Hoosiers offseason

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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