It is rare for a standout basketball player at even the college level to get drafted into the NBA. It is even more rare for such a player to get drafted by the team he rooted for growing up or the team that had a player he loved.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers took Indiana University guard Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Some don’t love the pick, as he does have some weaknesses, but his strengths, such as his defensive versatility, passing and midrange game, make him an intriguing pick.
After the Lakers drafted him, he said that he had always been a fan of the late great Kobe Bryant (h/t Silver Screen and Roll).
JHS was excited to hear his name:
"The Lakers were the first team I worked out for. 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."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 23, 2023
In fact, when executive Rob Pelinka asked Hood-Schifino who he would like to have lunch with, whether that person is living or dead, he said Bryant.
Pelinka said they asked JHS whom he'd like to have lunch with if it could be anybody from history. JHS said Kobe:
"His Mamba Mentality is a code (JHS has) lived by. You could tell he didn't throw that out because it was a Lakers interview; it felt from the heart."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 23, 2023
Perhaps his love for Bryant will inspire him to work that much harder and smarter on his game in order to reach his potential in the NBA.
