Draft Recap: Lakers select Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis

The Lakers added two young players to their core with Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis.

They selected Hood-Schifino with the 17th overall pick. He is a 6-foot-5 guard that plays well on both ends of the floor. Hood-Schifino’s two-way play will help him be an impact player in his rookie campaign with the Lakers.

He is a good ball-handler and decision-maker on offense. Hood-Schifino thrives at making the right play in pick-and-roll action, which should pair well with star center Anthony Davis. 

Jalen Hood-Schifino is a nice add for the Lakers.

Gives LA another ball handler while retaining size on defense. It's important he improve as shooter (30.4% on spot-up 3s in college) but he has good touch from midrange and the line so it's a strong bet that he figures it out. pic.twitter.com/KoFeYPckaf

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 23, 2023

In his freshman year at Indiana, Hood-Schifino averaged 14/4/4, shooting 41.7% from the field and 33.3% from three.

His play earned him All-Big Ten Honors and the Big Ten Rookie of the Year. Hood-Schifino needs to improve as a three-point shooter but should be impactful in his rookie campaign. While his three-point shot isn’t there yet, he is a great mid-range shooter.

General manager Rob Pelinka cited Hood-Schifino's ability to be an on-ball guard and play point or shooting guard.

He can guard multiple positions with his frame and is an all-around player. Hood-Schifino goes by Fino for an acronym his mom gave him, “Failure is no option.”

“Growing up, I was always a big Kobe fan... so for me to get drafted by the Lakers, it’s kinda surreal.”

Jalen Hood-Schifino 💛💜pic.twitter.com/FBwmuk4rtN

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 23, 2023

Hood-Schifino grew up a fan of Kobe Bryant fan and has the potential to be the point guard of the future for the Lakers.

In his rookie season, Hood-Schifino has a chance to be a rotational player for LA. If he plays well in Summer League and the preseason, the Lakers could give him rotational minutes as the backup point guard.

"The Lakers were the first team I worked out for, Hood-Schifino said. "Great visit, great workout, great meeting. Just hearing my name called by the Lakers was kinda crazy, because I’ve always been a Kobe fan. It was a full circle moment for me."

Rob Pelinka said the Lakers had JHS ranked as a lottery-level talent, that he was a "great value" at No. 17. He cited his "positional size" at 6'5'' with a 6'10'' wingspan, and on-ball PG skills, citing his strength in the pick-and-roll game.

"This was an easy (choice) for us."

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 23, 2023

With the 40th pick in the draft, LA selected Maxwell Lewis. Lewis averaged 17/6/3, shooting 46.8% from the floor and 34.8% from behind the arc in his sophomore season at Pepperdine.

Lewis is a 6-foot-7 forward that can score at all three levels. At the next level, Lewis needs to become a better defender and improve his efficiency. He has all the tools to become an impactful forward in the NBA.

His height and 7-foot-wingspan should help him become a quality defender.

Second-round STEAL. 💯

6’7, 7’0 wingspan

Averaged 17.1 points and 5.7 rebounds last season at Pepperdine on 47/35/79 shooting splits 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/hy1WpGjJrZ

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 23, 2023

Lewis is a steal with the 40th pick in the draft. He may not get a ton of minutes in his rookie campaign but he has the potential to be a quality player. Summer League will be the first opportunity to see Lewis in a Lakers uniform.

The Lakers have one of the best scouting departments in all of basketball. They also have the best skills and player development coach in basketball Phil Handy.

Hood-Schifino and Lewis are the 2023 draft picks for the Lakers and could be impactful players for years to come.