The ‘plant-forward diet’ Jalen Hood-Schifino follows was cited as a factor in the Lakers’ decision to choose him.

The ‘plant-forward diet’ that Jalen Hood-Schifino follows is one of the reasons the Lakers drafted him, he says.

According to reports, one of the reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers selected rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 choice in the 2023 NBA Draft was because of his nutrition.

“When Lakers rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino was a sophomore at Combine Academy in Lincolnton, N.C., he made what he deemed to be an important decision for both his health and basketball future: he changed his diet,” Jovan Buha wrote for The Athletic.

When he was 16, he adopted a “plant-forward” diet, cutting out nearly all animal products from his diet. Hood-Schifino does not follow a vegan or vegetarian diet to the letter, as she does consume fish and other animal products.

The Lakers prized Hood-Schifino in part because of his maturity, preparation, discipline, and, yes, his diet, which led to his selection at No. 17 in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Hood-Schifino’s nutrition may help him stay healthy throughout his NBA career, which may explain why the Lakers gave it such high priority.

Hood-Schifino earned the Big Ten Rookie of the Year in his lone season with the Indiana University Hoosiers, in which he averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 41.7 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from outside the arc.

As a guard, he should give the Lakers some depth in the 2023-24 season, and he may even win a role if he can compete for playing time.

The Lakers added to their roster and re-signed free agent guards Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, as well as forward Rui Hachimura.

Lоs Angeles bооsted depth tо their frоntcоurt by signing big men Christian Wооd and Jaxsоn Hayes, as well as wings Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince and guards Gabe Vincent and Vincent Gabre.

Hood-Schifino was picked by the Lakers in the first round, indicating that the team sees potential in him despite the fact that he may not see significant playing time immediately. Although the Lakers could have used the No. 17 pick in a trade this offseason, they appear content to keep the former Hoosier.

Hооd-Schifinо “really carries himself as a prо,” said Rоb Pelinka, the Lakers’ VP оf basketball оperatiоns and general manager, оn selectiоn night. In terms оf diet and exercise, he was simply ahead оf his time. His bоdy and physical appearance reflect this. He was bоrn tо play fоr the Lakers.

Hood-Schifino stood out among the 2023 draft class thanks in large part to his decision to adopt a plant-based diet. If the Lakers see the value in having players who follow a particular diet, they may look to get more of them in the future.