In June 2023, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Pittsburgh native and former Indiana Hoosier Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 pick in the draft.
After playing in 21 games last year for the Lakers and none so far this year, the organization seems to have made up its mind on Hood-Schifino’s future in L.A.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, “The Los Angeles Lakers are declining guard Jalen Hood-Schifino’s third-year team option worth $4 million for 2025-26, sources tell ESPN,” Charania tweeted. “This makes the 21-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard an unrestricted free agent in offseason and creates roster flexibility for Lakers.”
Hood-Schifino averaged 1.6 points per game for the Lakers last season.
Hood-Schifino played one year of college ball at Indiana under head coach Mike Woodson. Hood-Schifino started 32 games for the Hoosiers, scoring more than 13 points per game en route to Big Ten Rookie of the Year honors.
He grew up in Pittsburgh before eventually moving to Charlotte, N.C.. He spent his high-school career playing for Northside Christian Academy, Combine Academy, and Montverde Academy over the years. 247Sports and ESPN both ranked him as a four-star prospect and a top-30 player in the Class of 2022.
In December 2019, Hood-Schifino verbally committed to his hometown Pitt Panthers. However, the next year, in June 2020, he de-committed. He then said Pitt was still in the mix in his recruitment, but when Pitt received a commitment from Judah Mintz (who later de–committed), Pitt chose to cancel Hood-Schifino’s visit and no longer pursue him.