EL SEGUNDO — On a court filled with multiple former All-Stars, it was rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino who appeared to have stood out the most during the Lakers’ first training camp practice.
Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, the pair of guards who will be the team’s starting backcourt, both mentioned Hood-Schifino as a player who made a strong impression during Tuesday’s practice.
Coach Darvin Ham was even more effusive with his praise of the guard the Lakers drafted out of Indiana with the No. 17 pick in June’s NBA draft.
“He was actually … I don’t think anyone would disagree if I called him the MVP of Day One in scrimmaging,” Ham said of Hood-Schifino. “He was very solid. We’re really, really excited about him.”
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Hood-Schifino has the size to be disruptive and physically imposing against other point guards on both ends of the court.
Ham likes the poise he’s played with during scrimmages across the Lakers’ first two days of camp.
“He plays with a lot of moxie,” Ham added. “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 going to guard the hell out of the ball, guard off of the ball, try to rebound … he plays a powerful, powerful game at that position individually.”
Added forward Jarred Vanderbilt: “He obviously wasn’t scared of the moment. Just being able to come out aggressive, he’s picking up, playing full court. He’s playing defense. He’s making the right plays. To be a young player to come out and be aggressive, it just says a lot about him.”
But Ham wants Hood-Schifino to be a little more verbal with his competitiveness, at least when it comes to leading his team.
“I got on him a little bit [Tuesday],” Ham said. “Jalen is really soft-spoken. I said ‘Kid, you’re going to be a 15-year point guard in this league with the skillset you have, the way you’re going to get better and how young you are … you got to start screaming.”
Ham even offered Hood-Schifino advice.
“Just scream when you’re in the house by yourself,” Ham added. “Just start yelling and screaming for no reason. Because you’re going to have to be the one who keeps your teammates organized and they’ve gotta always understand what we’re doing out there – whatever possession it is each, each and every possession.”
Darvin Ham said Lakers rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino might've been the MVP from Day 1 of training camp.
The biggest feedback Darvin told us he had for Jalen? Being more vocal.
Jalen's thoughts: pic.twitter.com/SvkeDslJOt
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) October 4, 2023
Hood-Schifino might not go home yelling at the top of his lungs in his free time.
But the message was received.
“He was probably joking on that part, but really just talking, just talking, commanding more, obviously screaming out the plays,” Hood-Schifino said Wednesday. “You’re a point guard, putting guys in the right spot. Everybody is different. You don’t got to be some rah-rah guy. You can pull guys aside, [and] do certain things. But just talking.”
Even though he said being vocal wasn’t a struggle for him when he first came into the league, Gabe Vincent can appreciate the challenge of being a young guard trying to be more vocal on a veteran team, especially one with future Hall of Famers LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“It’s tough,” Vincent said. “When you’re a young player coming into the league and you’re being told to tell LeBron James where to go on the court sometimes. That can be a lot for someone to take on.”
It’s a challenge Hood-Schifino says he’s up for.
“Playing with older guys, just trying to find that way,” Hood-Schifino said. “Off the court, I’m a natural quiet guy. But obviously, on the court you got to be vocal, especially being a point guard. So, definitely trying to find that and be more assertive. That comes with time. Obviously, I got to find my way and earn my way.”
