The 2023 NBA Draft is a little over 24 hours away and Indiana basketball will be heavily represented there with both Jalen Hood-Schifino and Trayce Jackson-Davis certain to hear both their names called.
In Bleacher Report’s final 2023 NBA Mock Draft, Lead Scout/NBA Draft Insider Jonathan Wasserman released his final draft projections for both Hood-Schifino and Jackson-Davis.
For Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Indiana basketball guard is projected to be selected No. 14 (lottery) by the New Orleans Pelicans.
In his lone season at Indiana, Jalen Hood-Schifino proved to be one of the top freshman in the country this past year averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 32 total games. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year this season as well as All-Big Ten Second-Team. He was also the first Indiana basketball player since Eric Gordon to have multiple 30+ point games in his freshman season.
Hood-Schifino will also be representing Indiana in the NBA draft green room as he received an invitation there.
“Jalen Hood-Schifino is earning consideration as high as No. 9 from the Jazz,” said Lead Scout/NBA Draft Insider Jonathan Wasserman. “We’re hearing there has been a significant buildup of buzz on him during workout season, to the point where rival agents don’t anticipate him being on the board outside the lottery.”
Trayce Jackson-Davis, on the other hand, is predicted to go early in the second round at No. 38 to the Sacramento Kings.
This season, Jackson-Davis averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 blocks per game. He was a consensus First-Team All-American and unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection. He was also the Karl Malone Award winner for the top power forward in the country.
The Indiana big leaves Indiana basketball as one of the all-time Hoosier greats.
“Trayce Jackson-Davis has been shooting jumpers during NBA auditions, something he didn’t do at Indiana,” Wasserman said. “Regardless, he’ll earn consideration for his effectiveness as a post scorer, finisher, passer and rebounder.”
Indiana basketball will be looking at the possibility of having two players go in the first round since 2013 with Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller.
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