Jalen Hood-Schifino, born on June 19, 2003, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a guard for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds, he is known for his versatility in both the point guard and shooting guard positions.
Early Life and Education
Hood-Schifino began his high school career at Northside Christian Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. He later transferred to Combine Academy in Lincolnton, North Carolina, before joining Montverde Academy in Florida, where he contributed to back-to-back GEICO High School Basketball National titles in 2021 and 2022.
His performance earned him a spot in the Jordan Brand Classic, where he scored 14 points, including three three-pointers.
College Career
In August 2021, Hood-Schifino committed to the Indiana Hoosiers. During his freshman year in the 2022-2023 season, he averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Notably, he set an Indiana freshman-record by scoring 35 points against Purdue on February 25, 2023. His outstanding performance earned him the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award and a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Professional Career
Hood-Schifino was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He made his NBA debut on November 27, 2023, against the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout his rookie season, he played in 23 games, averaging 1.7 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
In February 2025, as part of a significant trade involving multiple players, Hood-Schifino was acquired by the Utah Jazz. However, he was waived by the Jazz shortly after, on February 7, 2025. Later that month, he signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, allowing him to split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
On March 16, 2025, Hood-Schifino delivered his best performance of the season, coming off the bench to score 19 points, including five three-pointers, in a 130-125 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Personal Life
Hood-Schifino is the son of Glenn Hood, a former quarterback at Santa Monica College, and Adrianne “Angel” Hood-Schifino, who played basketball at Lock Haven University. He has two uncles, Drew and Jake Schifino, who have both played college sports—basketball and football, respectively. Growing up in Pittsburgh before moving to Charlotte, Hood-Schifino developed his passion for basketball by playing with his older cousins in his grandparents’ backyard.
For more information on Jalen Hood-Schifino’s career and statistics, you can visit his profile on the official NBA website.