Training camp is fully underway across the NBA, and the Los Angeles Lakers are full of hope, optimism and confidence as they embark on a quest for their 18th world championship.
They have a deep and talented roster consisting of veterans and young standouts, and one of the more intriguing things about that roster is a few young prospects who could become very good players moving forward. One of them is Jalen Hood-Schifino, the No. 17 pick in June’s draft.
D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves said the 6-foot-6 rookie guard stood out on the team’s first full day of training camp. On Wednesday, head coach Darvin Ham gave Hood-Schifino plenty of praise.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham called Jalen Hood-Schifino the MVP of the team’s first day of practice and detailed an interesting homework assignment he’s given the rookie point guard: pic.twitter.com/z5HySF2NwL
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 4, 2023
“He plays with a lot of moxie, he plays with stability. You can’t speed him up, you can’t slow him down. He’s strong. He’s a fierce competitor in a silent way. You’re not just gonna do whatever you want to do with him. He’s gonna guard the hell out of the ball, guard off the ball, try to rebound, plays a powerful, powerful game at that position individually. He was phenomenal yesterday. He was actually, I don’t think anyone would disagree if I called him the MVP of day one scrimmaging.”
It will be hard for Ham to find playing time for Hood-Schifino this season other than garbage time at the end of games. But perhaps the Lakers have a difference-maker for the future on their roster right now in him.