Jalen Hood-Schifino has a sneaker deal with Adidas

When the Los Angeles Lakers selected Indiana University’s Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 pick in last month’s NBA draft, the response was mixed.

While some wondered about the wisdom of picking someone like him who has struggled with his outside shot and isn’t particularly speedy or athletic, others lauded his mid-range scoring ability, passing skills and overall character.

While Hood-Schifino showed some flashes of promise during NBA Summer League play, overall he struggled. In four games in Las Vegas, Nev. he averaged 11.8 points and 3.0 assists, but he shot only 31.0 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from the free throw line.

But it didn’t prevent him from accomplishing something big off the court. On Monday, Adidas announced it had inked Hood-Schifino to a sneaker deal by welcoming him to its family.

He may end up being a work-in-progress that takes a few years to become a good player, but his potential is evident, and it has been enough to get the attention of many Lakers fans.

Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire