In case you missed it, the 2023 NBA Draft took place last night. The Lakers had the 17th pick in the 1st round and traded for a 40th pick in the 2nd round. With their 17th pick, they drafted Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and with their 40th pick, they drafted Forward Maxwell Lewis. So who are these guys?
Jalen Hood-Schifino, 20, went to Indiana University which is a Division 1 school. He went there his freshman year before getting drafted and can play Point Gaurd or Shooting Gaurd. There, he averaged 13.5 points (.417
FG%, .333 3P%), 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 32 games (all starts) in his lone season at Indiana University. He received 2022-23 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and also earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors and ranked ninth in the conference in total assists (117). He is 6'6 with a 6’10’’ wingspan and considered a lottery pick so getting him at 17th is pretty much a steal. Hood-Schifino is an effective scorer, great passer, great defender, and playmaker in traffic. This should really benefit from NBA spacing + shooting. He also practiced with the Lakers before the draft so the Lakers knew what they would get drafting him. With D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder both unrestricted free agents this summer, Hood-Schifino is definitely a player that the Lakers need and with what was left in the draft for Lakers to select, I am giving this pick a solid A. Great pick.
Maxwell Lewis, 20, went to Pepperdine University which is a Division 1 school. He went there for 2 years before getting drafted and plays Forward. There, he averaged 14.6 points (.453 FG%, .354 3P%), 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 52 career games (33 starts) across two seasons (2021-23) at Pepperdine University. The 2022-23 All-WCC Second Team honoree posted averages of 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his final collegiate season. He is 6'7 with a 7'0 wingspan and made a huge impression when he worked out with the Lakers. He possesses 3-and-D qualities and considered a great wing player which Lakers need. To some scouts, he is even seen as a first rounder. Lewis will probably not get much playing time at first but in a few years when a lot can change for the Lakers, he may have a big role at some point. I am giving this pick an A- and that's especially good since it's a 40th pick.
Overall, I'd say Lakers had a really good draft and don't think you can do any better with the pick numbers they had. Check out my Instagram page sports_news_la for some highlights of these 2 players.
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