How Jalen Hood-Schifino Fits with the OKC Thunder

With the Oklahoma City Thunder entering the offseason, it’s officially time to time to switch gears to prospect evaluation mode.

And this year’s impending draft has plenty of players that can help bolster the OKC core.

No matter how unlikely it is Oklahoma City lands certain prospects, the Thunder Fit series will take a look at how they would fit with the current team’s configuration. And with a war chest of assets, you never know how far the front office could move up to acquire a player.

The next prospect up in the series is Indiana guard and surprise one-and-done Jalen Hood-Schifino.

Here’s how Hood-Schifino could fit alongside the rest of the Thunder core:

Offense

At 6-foot-6, Hood-Schifino is a true point guard that averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game with the Hoosiers while shooting 42 percent overall and 33 percent from beyond the arc.

He’s got the same poke-and-prod style that many before him have had, probing to find his spots, which he especially likes in the mid-range. He’s a pick-and-roll aficionado, using his frame to navigate open space and pass with ease.

In the Thunder system, Hood-Schifino is an interesting fit. With multiple point guards and ball-handlers already, there’s likely few minutes to be had in Oklahoma City’s starting lineup. But he would be a nice addition as a backup point guard to corral the second unit.

Hood-Schifino would especially be a potent weapon alongside Chet Holmgren, who would command plenty of attention in the pick-and-roll.

Defense

Defensively, Hood-Schifino can hold his own due to his length and strength. He was looked at as a two-way guard coming into college and, for the most part, lived up to it.

He’s at his best on-ball and as a point of attack defender. He fans out, moves his feet and has a real care factor on that end. In the same way he pokes and prods on offense, he does so on defense, biding his time and waiting to strike at the ball.

Alongside Holmgren, Luguentz Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Hood-Schifino would add another lengthy piece to help stifle the opposing offense.

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