Second Jalen Hood – Sifino Decided to enter the NBA Draft after his freshman season in college Indianahe knew to wear a green suit.

“It’s my favorite color,” he says with a slight shrug as we move backstage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

It just ran into a golden Lakers hat, the first souvenir from his new employer. The franchise took the 6-foot-6 point guard with the 17th overall pick in Thursday’s draft, the highest pick since the Lakers acquired Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick in 2017.

Regardless of the Celtics’ Green, there was no questioning his joy at being a new addition to the Lakers. He has a Kobe Bryant tattoo on his arm.

“Honestly, it’s really crazy and it’s kind of hard to say how I feel because I’ve been a huge Kobe fan since I was a kid. I was always watching his videos and watching the Lakers. he said. “For me, being drafted by the Lakers is kind of surreal, kind of crazy.”

What followed was a whirlwind.

After being selected, Hood Sifino, 20, jumped from interview to interview, walking with a slight limp. His suit was everything he wanted, but his shoes ruined him.

At one station he finally took the bandages off and an NBA staffer brought me some bandages for a sore on the back of my heel that was starting to form.

“I went up a size and it still hurt,” he said.

As time passed, his nerves calmed down. He talked about his hidden talents, how he could cook and even sing a little.

“This never happens,” he says with a laugh, and the anxiety of the draft process begins to fade.

His coach at Indiana University, longtime NBA coach Mike Woodson, beamed with pride after the selection was announced, praising his former point guard for his coolness and consistency.

But on Thursday, Hood-Sciffino was on a “roller coaster” of emotions all around, he said.

Back in Los Angeles, the Lakers’ front office worked from multiple angles, including possible options to trade down in the first round. However, the team decided to use Hood Schiffino, and officials immediately indicated that they intended to keep the choice.

Hood-Sciffino had a brief training session and joined the Lakers in preparation for the draft.

The team later chose the wing Maxwell Lewis He acquired the 40th pick in the second round from Pepperdine, and paid over $4 million to be promoted from the 47th pick and traded picks to the Indiana Pacers.

Michigan’s Kobe Buffkin sang “LALA” to Hood-Chiffino as two Big Ten guards shared a moment in the Nets’ training room turned social media studio.

In his only season at Indiana, Hood-Sciffino averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He was a top rookie in the Big Ten.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called Hood-Sciffino “a lottery-level talent.”

“He’s special, very special,” Pelinka said. “They got a well-rounded young man who works hard on the floor. I wonder if I can be like that.

“His work ethic will get him through the tough times.”

Lewis, who played for Pepperdine, averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 34.8% from 3-point range. He was one of the stars of the Lakers’ group workouts before the draft.

The Lakers also signed Florida center Colin Castelton and Missouri guard Domoy Hodge to two-way deals, a person familiar with the deal said they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

Applause broke out as soon as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the San Antonio Spurs would be playing. As the clock ticked, a fan to Victor Wenbanyama’s left began shouting his name. Time was just a formality.

For over a year, everyone knew that Wenbanyama, who was 7-4, would be the number one pick. The first reminder of the magnitude of this moment came when he took the stage and towered over his silver 6-3.

“I can’t describe it very well. It’s still fresh,” Wenbanyama said. “One of the best feelings of my life. Probably the best night of my life. I’ve dreamed about this for a long time. A dream come true. It’s unbelievable.”

The drama at No. 2 ended with the Charlotte Hornets picking G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 pick to Portland, defeating Alabama’s Brandon Miller. Overtime elites Amen and Orser Thompson are the fourth and fifth picks, meaning four of the first five picks didn’t play college basketball last season. The last time it happened to him was in 2001.

No major trades were finalized on Thursday, despite some chatter about high-profile stars. Free agency begins June 30.

The Lakers have to answer roster questions, but added two pieces for the future on Thursday.

“I’m a player who brings it in every day and thinks he works hard and ticks a lot of boxes,” Hoodsifino said. “Obviously, I’m a big guard, I have size, I can score from all three levels, I’m selfish, I get my teammates involved. …Overall, I’m a really good player, I think I am a better person.”