PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are in a position nobody expected for them when considering the busy offseason they had. The idea for the 2024-25 season was to contend for a championship, but injuries have completely derailed any thought of that.
With that being said, the injuries have given others a great opportunity to showcase their skills. For example, somebody like Jalen Hood-Schifino has stepped in and produced in many different ways for coach Nick Nurse and Co.
Here on a two-way deal, Hood-Schifino is averaging 9.2 points and 2.6 assists while shooting 41% from the floor and 32.3% from deep in eight games thus far. The Sixers have used him off the ball as well as a backup point guard for this group and he is given the opportunity to play every night as he is guaranteed minutes right now.
"I mean, it’s a blessing," Hood-Schifino told Sixers Wire of the opportunity. "I mean, I missed a lot of games last year. I missed a lot of games this year. So this year, it almost feels like it's my rookie year, because I haven't had a lot of court time, been injured, whatnot. So just thankful to be where I'm at right now."
While nobody wants to see anybody be as injured as the Sixers have been in 2024-25, Hood-Schifino is going to take advantage of the chances given to him. He has done an excellent job of providing energy and showing off skills that will keep him in the league.
"Just staying present every day, and we have a lot of injuries with the Sixers right now, so it's giving guys like me an opportunity to be able to be on the floor and get minutes," he added. "So just taking it day-by-day, and trusting God and maximizing every opportunity that comes my way."
A former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, Hood-Schifino was limited to only 23 games across two seasons in LA. Now fully healthy, he is looking to finish the season strong and be able to make an impact in order to show audition for not only the Sixers, the other 29 teams in the league.
"100%," he finished. "I mean, regardless of situation, you always want to--anytime you're on the floor, you're performing not only for the team you’re with, but for all 30 teams out there. So yeah, I mean, I think there's basketball, and anytime you step on the floor, you want to perform your best, but like you said, being in my position kind of going through what I went through, you know, these games matter obviously and so I want to go out there and put my best foot forward every single night."
The Sixers will take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday as they look to finish out the string.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Jalen Hood-Schifino using 76ers opportunity as audition for NBA future
