Jalen Hood-Schifino Bio
Jalen Hood-Schifino is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on a two-way contract with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. A point guard and shooting guard, he was drafted 17th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers after a standout freshman season at Indiana University. Hood-Schifino was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2023 and earned NBA Cup championship honors that same year. He was a highly decorated five-star recruit coming out of high school, regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2022 class.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Hood-Schifino was born on June 19, 2003, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Glenn Hood, a former quarterback at Santa Monica College, and Adrianne “Angel” Hood-Schifino, who played collegiate basketball at Lock Haven University. The family resided in Pittsburgh during Hood-Schifino’s early childhood, though they relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, while he was in middle school. He attended Gateway School District before his family moved south.
Growing up, Hood-Schifino played basketball in his grandparents’ backyard and regularly competed against his older cousins, Sherron and DeAndre Schifino. Sherron went on to play college basketball while DeAndre joined the University of Pittsburgh football team. Hood-Schifino was consistently the youngest player in these pickup games, a competitive dynamic that helped shape his development. His athletic lineage extends further through his family, with uncles who played college basketball at West Virginia and college football in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans.
Path to Professional Basketball
Hood-Schifino began his high school career at Northside Christian Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. He transferred to Combine Academy in Lincolnton, North Carolina, for his sophomore year. While at Combine Academy, he initially committed to play for the University of Pittsburgh under coach Jeff Capel, a significant recruiting victory for the Panthers given Hood-Schifino’s Pittsburgh roots. However, following his sophomore year, he reopened his recruitment.
Prior to his junior season, Hood-Schifino transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, one of the nation’s premier high school basketball programs under coach Kevin Boyle. This move proved transformative for his development. At Montverde, Hood-Schifino helped lead the team to consecutive GEICO High School Basketball National Championships in 2021 and 2022. He was named an all-star and invited to play in the Jordan Brand Classic, where he scored 14 points including three three-pointers. During the AAU circuit, he played for coach Norton Hurd IV and Team Thad, a program founded by NBA player Thaddeus Young. In the off-season before college, Hood-Schifino also trained in California with professionals including Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Indiana University entered his recruitment in the summer of 2021, shortly after Mike Woodson became head coach in Bloomington. Hood-Schifino committed to the Hoosiers in August 2021, becoming the highest-rated recruit to sign with Indiana since Romeo Langford in 2018 and the ninth-highest-ranked prospect in program history since 1998.
Jalen Hood-Schifino Career
College Career at Indiana (2022–2023)
Prior to arriving in Bloomington, expectations were already high for Hood-Schifino. A mock NBA draft projected him as a first-round pick before his freshman season even began. The Big Ten media named him the preseason freshman of the year in the conference. He delivered on that promise throughout his lone collegiate season.
In 32 games with 32 starts for the Hoosiers, Hood-Schifino averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while playing 33.1 minutes per contest. His scoring prowess was on full display throughout the season. On January 8, 2023, he scored 33 points in a narrow 84-83 loss against Northwestern at Assembly Hall, marking the most points by an Indiana freshman since Eric Gordon posted 33 against Chattanooga in 2007. On February 25, 2023, Hood-Schifino set the Indiana freshman single-game scoring record with 35 points in a 79-71 victory against Purdue at Mackey Arena.
For his exceptional season, Hood-Schifino was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and received third-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media. He declared for the NBA draft on March 31, 2023, forgoing his remaining three years of college eligibility.
Los Angeles Lakers (2023–2025)
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Hood-Schifino with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He joined a Lakers team that would go on to win the inaugural NBA Cup championship in December 2023, earning him an NBA Cup champion ring as a rookie. Throughout his first two seasons with the organization, Hood-Schifino was frequently assigned to the South Bay Lakers, the team’s NBA G League affiliate, for development purposes.
On November 27, 2023, Hood-Schifino made his NBA debut for the Lakers in a 138-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. However, his sophomore season was interrupted when he underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure on March 21, 2024, with no definitive timetable set for his return to game action.
On February 2, 2025, Hood-Schifino was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a major three-team deal that sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles. The Lakers acquired Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, and cash considerations, while the Dallas Mavericks received Max Christie, Anthony Davis, and future draft assets. However, just five days later on February 7, the Jazz waived Hood-Schifino before he appeared in a game for Utah.
Philadelphia 76ers (2025)
Shortly after being waived by the Jazz, Hood-Schifino signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on February 28, 2025. Under this arrangement, he split time between the NBA roster and the Delaware Blue Coats, the 76ers’ G League affiliate. This move represented a fresh start for the young guard as he continued his NBA career following his recovery from injury and the brief stint with Utah.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hood-Schifino plays the point guard and shooting guard positions at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters) and 210 pounds (95 kilograms). His size at the guard position allows him to play multiple backcourt roles. Known for his scoring ability and court vision, he demonstrated his offensive repertoire during his college career with his ability to create shots and finish at the rim. His three-level scoring capability was evident through his mid-range proficiency and three-point shooting, as showcased in the Jordan Brand Classic. His experience at Montverde Academy, known for its intense daily practices mimicking college-level competition, prepared him for the physical demands of professional basketball.
Notable Milestones
Among his most significant career moments, Hood-Schifino’s 35-point performance against Purdue at Mackey Arena stands out as a defining achievement, breaking Indiana’s freshman single-game scoring record. His Big Ten Freshman of the Year honor in 2023 validated his status as one of the top first-year players in one of college basketball’s premier conferences. Being selected 17th overall in the NBA Draft and subsequently winning an NBA Cup championship as a rookie represented the culmination of his rapid ascent from high school prospect to professional player.
Jalen Hood-Schifino Career Highlights
Across his college and professional career, Hood-Schifino has accumulated notable accolades and achievements that highlight his impact at each level of competition. His transition from dominant high school performer to college star to NBA player demonstrates consistent success throughout his basketball journey.
College Honors
During his single season at Indiana University, Hood-Schifino established himself as one of the premier freshmen in the country. His Big Ten Freshman of the Year award in 2023 represented the conference’s recognition of his exceptional performance. He was also named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors. His record-setting 35-point game against Purdue remains one of the top individual performances by a freshman in Indiana basketball history.
Professional Accolades
As a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2023-24 season, Hood-Schifino was part of the team that won the inaugural NBA Cup championship in December 2023. This achievement gave him valuable postseason experience and a championship ring in his first professional season, even though his role was primarily developmental.
Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Hood-Schifino comes from a family with deep athletic roots spanning multiple sports. His father, Glenn Hood, played quarterback at Santa Monica College. His mother, Adrianne “Angel” Hood-Schifino, played basketball at Lock Haven University, giving Jalen his first introduction to competitive basketball. His maternal uncle Drew played college basketball for the West Virginia Mountaineers and the California Vulcans before pursuing a professional career. Another uncle, Jake Schifino, played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans.
Among his extended family, Hood-Schifino grew up playing with his cousins Sherron Schifino, who went on to play college basketball, and DeAndre Schifino, who joined the University of Pittsburgh football team. This environment of athletic competition and mentorship within the family contributed significantly to his development as a player.
Personal Life
Hood-Schifino was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, during his middle school years. His experience moving between cities and attending multiple high schools shaped his adaptability. During his time at Indiana, he participated in a student-athlete compensation program that allowed him to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, making in-person appearances and promoting the charity through social media to benefit Indiana community organizations.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Hood-Schifino as he navigated major changes in his professional career. Early in the calendar year, he was involved in one of the NBA’s most significant trades when the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Dončić in a three-team deal. Hood-Schifino’s journey from that Lakers roster to Utah and then to Philadelphia 76ers demonstrated the volatility of life as a young professional player in the league.
Following his brief, non-playing tenure with the Utah Jazz, Hood-Schifino signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-way contract in late February 2025. This agreement allowed him to continue his NBA development while also gaining valuable minutes with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League. The two-way contract structure provided him the opportunity to showcase his abilities at the professional level while working on consistency and the aspects of his game that required refinement following his injury recovery.
The outlook for Hood-Schifino centers on his continued recovery and development as a professional player. At 22 years old, he possesses considerable upside and time to establish himself in the NBA. His collegiate accomplishments and championship experience at the NBA level provide a foundation upon which he can build. The coming seasons will likely focus on securing a permanent NBA roster spot, demonstrating durability, and contributing consistently at both the NBA and G League levels.