Indiana basketball: Jalen Hood-Schifino one of the biggest risers in post-NBA Combine mock draft

With the NBA Combine in the rearview mirror and the 2023 NBA Draft just weeks away, many players have made impacts and increased their draft stock. One of the players that has seen a major rise in their stock is former Indiana basketball guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.

In the latest 2023 NBA mock draft by Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, Hood-Schifino was projected to be selected in the first round, all the way up to the No. 9 spot to the Utah Jazz.

“Hood-Schifino is one of the big winners of the measurements and pro day portions of the draft process, as he clearly possesses all-star-level physical tools with his tremendous size, frame and length for a point guard, said ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony. “Players with his caliber of upside tend to rise as we get closer to the draft. Many executives pivot into home run-swing mode at this stage of the lottery, especially teams like the Jazz who have three picks at their disposal and some clear holes to plug in the backcourt.”

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 the first Indiana basketball player since Eric Gordon to have multiple 30+ point games in his freshman season.

When speaking to an anonymous NBA Scout, the expectation was that Hood-Schifino would ‘blow away teams’ during pre-draft process. 

“I think JHS is a very smart player that should blow away teams that get to spend time with him during the pre-draft process,” an anonymous NBA Scout told HoosierIllusrtated.com. “Wherever a team had him April 1, it will only improve as their process goes along.”

“The IQ, leadership and playmaking are clearly there,” the scout added.

Also in the ESPN mock draft, former Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis was also projected to go to the No. 38 to the Sacramento Kings.

The 2023 NBA Draft is on June 22 in New York.

SEE ALSO: Scout’s Take: How Trayce Jackson-Davis and his skillset will translate to the NBA

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