Jordan McLaughlin keeps focused on improving while UNLV and others chase him

By Taylor Bern

Sunday, July 29, 2012 | 2 a.m.

When asked what colleges are looking at him, California guard Jordan McLaughlin rattles off a list of six schools. It doesn’t even come close to the complete group.

What about UNLV? Yes, add them to the list. What about San Diego State? Yes, them too.

Truth is, it would probably be easier for McLaughlin to list the west-coast schools who haven’t come calling than the gaggle that have.

A 5-foot-11 point guard ranked No. 41 in the class of 2014, McLaughlin is as comfortable pulling up for a 3-pointer as he is driving into the lane, spinning towards the basket and finishing at the rim. And he’s done plenty of both at this week’s Fab 48 tournament at Bishop Gorman.

In Wednesday night’s opener against the Las Vegas Prospects and fellow UNLV target Shaquile Carr, who plays at Canyon Springs, McLaughlin put on a show in front of UNLV coach Dave Rice and assistant Stacey Augmon. His team was no match for the Prospects, but things got better as the week progressed. On Friday, McLaughlin led his team to a 65-57 victory against the Nevada Wolverines.

These moments are what McLaughlin has worked for; the chance to play his best in front of the top coaches in the country. What happens after that isn’t really his concern, which is why McLaughlin has trouble coming up with a comprehensive list of interested schools on the spot.

Some kids track the roller coaster of their rankings — his is on a decided uptick — but McLaughlin doesn’t concern himself with that. His coaches keep tabs on that and keep in contact with the schools, telling him when another school reaches out to him.

“I’m just like, ‘OK, thanks for letting me know,’” McLaughlin said. Then he goes back to work.

This summer, that work has mostly been an overhaul of McLaughlin’s athleticism. He wanted to get in better shape to make sure he has the legs to stay at his best at both ends of the court the entire game. That plus an extra emphasis on defense — the summer circuit equivalent of doing your math homework — has been enough to impress coaches at his AAU stops across the country.

“I feel like I am (getting better),” McLaughlin said. “My hard work is going to pay off, hopefully.”

UNLV, San Diego State, UCLA, Gonzaga, USC, Arizona, San Francisco and Memphis have all made offers. North Carolina and UConn have expressed some interest.

McLaughlin said he’s already taken unofficial visits to USC and UCLA, and he plans to see Arizona in December.

A trip back to Las Vegas could also be in the picture. McLaughlin said he would like an opportunity to check out the campus and see if the Rebels fit the profile of what he’s looking for: a major he’s interested in, a coaching staff that treats its players well and an up-tempo style of play.

He already knows UNLV offers the latter. Like most other elite recruits, McLaughlin has noticed the difference in the Rebels under Rice. The new, exciting brand of running basketball piques the interest of kids all across the country, and McLaughlin is no different.

“That’s what I want to do,” he said. “I want to run up and down, score in the high 60s, 70s, 80s and show my talents.”

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.