Jordan McLaughlin envisioned something that no other high school player in America imagined at the time – the sudden rise of USC basketball. McLaughlin, one of the most prized point guards in the Class of 2014, committed to USC in September 2013 as head coach Andy Enfield's first recruit. It was a significant victory for Enfield – jumpstarting the revival of USC basketball with McLaughlin as the centerpiece.
While McLaughlin led Etiwanda High to a CIF Southern Section title during his junior year, his future college head coach was captivating the nation on the other side of the country leading a small school named Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 on an incredible NCAA Tournament run. After FGCU's elimination, former Athletic Director Pat Haden hired Enfield in April 2013 as the USC men's basketball coach. One of Enfield's first priorities was to bring McLaughlin to USC to lead a fast-paced style of attack that helped advance FGCU to the Sweet 16 that March.
By utilizing Florida Gulf Coast game film, the USC coaching staff explained to McLaughlin why he fit so perfectly to run Enfield's speedy, "Dunk City" offense. Enfield's pitch impressed McLaughlin – filled with promises of lobs, dunks, and three pointers, he quickly jumped on board.
"I believed in the vision that Coach Enfield pitched to me," the 6-foot-1 point guard said. "The assistant coaches too. I looked at the assistant coaches. NBA players like Jason Hart – they got a lot of experience. I felt like this was the best spot for me to improve my game and take my game to another level, and I would say it definitely has."
This meant ignoring the Trojans' 14-18 record prior to his commitment. Like all playmakers, McLaughlin used his imagination to envision what the program would be like a few years down the road. His consistency at the point guard position and leadership on and off the court would help him emerge as the pioneer of the USC basketball turnaround.
'HE LEADS BY EXAMPLE'
Born in nearby Pasadena, McLaughlin began playing basketball as a toddler. He was a huge Michael Jordan fan and often imitated the Bulls' legend from the movie Space Jam by shooting a basketball from his baby crib.
"I started playing basketball since I came out of the womb. Since I was a baby, my parents would just throw a ball to me. Ever since then I just fell in love with it," McLaughlin said. "I started playing when I was three. Running down the hall, practicing my layups."
McLaughlin, now a senior, credits his family as the foundation in shaping who he is today. "They've been there ever since day one, through the good times and the bad times," he said.
The point guard also pays respect to his parents for instilling the leadership qualities and high morals and values that make him so well-liked by his teammates and coaches. As a three-year team captain, McLaughlin acknowledges that Enfield has helped him immensely with his maturation since his freshman year.
"As a leader on this team, I'm one to lead by example – trying to do everything right," the point guard noted. "But coach Enfield said to take my game to the next level, I needed to be more vocal. So on and off the court, I'm just trying to be more vocal and making sure everybody's doing the right things and being in the right place."
In fact, his teammates view him as the undivided leader who they turn to in key situations. Chimezie Metu, a junior center and McLaughlin's main go-to man, believes that Jordan's approach to people and teammates defines him as a leader.
"He leads by example and is always practicing what he preaches. He is always doing the right thing so it makes him easy to follow," Metu said. "He has helped me a ton. Whenever I'm unsure or not focused, I know that I can turn to him to help get back on track."
McLaughlin has also played a key role in the program's success on the recruiting trail over the past few years. Metu, a top 40 recruit in the Class of 2015, admits that Jordan was a major reason he decided to come to USC as he aspired to play with a great point guard.
Both McLaughlin and Metu share a common goal that drives them closer as teammates: winning championships and taking USC to the next level. But they understand that winning championships is a step-by-step process.
"It starts with getting better every single day in practice, watching film, making sure everybody is on the right track handling their homework and class work off the court," McLaughlin said. "It all starts at the end of summer when everybody gets here. We're just trying to stay on top of that and take it day by day."
'THE POSTER BOY OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL'
Nick Reader joined the USC basketball team as a student manager last season. As a freshman brand new to the program, McLaughlin went out of his way to introduce himself and get to know him on a personal level. Reader acknowledged that it meant a lot to him at the time.
"Jordan is always polite and respectful, and will always say thank you after you're done shooting with him or performing a task for him," Reader said. "He is also just a great guy to be around. He is extremely relatable and a guy you can talk to about anything – whether it be high school basketball, school or some issue in the media. Some of our managers call him the poster boy of college basketball since he does everything right."
Reader works every home game and practice for the team. With an all-access presence in the program, he describes McLaughlin as the most vocal player during timeouts and the player who brings the most energy to the floor.
From a basketball perspective, Reader sees McLaughlin as the perfect fit for Enfield's system since he excels at pushing the ball in transition and finishing at the rim from different angles. He explains that the fundamental concept of Enfield's offense involves the high ball screen between the point guard and the big.
"When his defender goes under the high ball screen, Jordan is able to pull up and hit open top of the arc threes. When the defender fights over the screen, Jordan is great at throwing the lob to Chimezie for open backside dunks," Reader explained.
'COME BACK BETTER THAN EVER'
As a senior for Etiwanda High, McLaughlin suffered a torn labrum in a CIF Playoff game against Chino Hills. He played through the injury and led Etiwanda to a victory over El Camino Real in the following game. But he tore it again during his freshman season at USC which prompted a second shoulder surgery. He described this as a "super tough" time – relying on faith and family to battle through it.
"It was times like that that my parents have been there for me ever since the beginning. They told me to take my time, rehab, get stronger, and come back better than ever," McLaughlin stated.
Despite a difficult freshman year dealing with the shoulder injury as well as the team winning only three conference games with a lack of veteran leadership, McLaughlin never doubted that the Trojans had the potential to build something special.
"I knew we would be good and I thought right away we would be good," he remarked. "But as freshmen, it was tough. We weren't as experienced, so we lost four or five games by one to four points. It was right there. It's not like we were getting blown out. Our inexperience did not help us win those games."
During his sophomore season, the Trojans made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in five years – losing a heartbreaker to Providence in the first round. McLaughlin gave up plays at both ends of the court in the final 50 seconds that allowed the Friars to win on a wide-open game-winning layup at the buzzer.
"It was tough; it was tough on me," he admitted. "I felt like it was my fault down the stretch at the end. I felt like I let the team down."
USC would get a chance at redemption the following year – playing Providence again in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament. McLaughlin made the most of his second chance and redeemed himself with an 18-point game, as the team overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to beat the Friars.
"It was pretty sweet. It just shows you how much this program is improving each year," he said with a smile.
'WE BUILT A FUN CULTURE HERE'
McLaughlin loves playing for Andy Enfield. He views him as a father figure – helping him take his game to the next level. He sees Enfield's coaching philosophy as unique compared to other coaches: giving his players the confidence to make big shots while allowing them to play with a sense of freedom on the court.
"It's a fun style of play. We're trying to throw lobs, run up and down, play defense. The coaching staff makes it fun to come to practice everyday because we are all joking around. But we know when it's time to step between those lines, it's game time and we all lock in," McLaughlin said. "We built a fun culture here. Winning is always fun. When you're winning, you're having a lot of fun."
'A BLESSING FROM BILL SHARMAN'
Just a few days before Bill Sharman – a USC basketball legend and NBA Hall of Famer – passed away in 2013, he agreed to unretire his No. 11 jersey from the Galen Center rafters to allow McLaughlin to wear the number at USC.
"It was a blessing from Bill Sharman and the USC family," the senior said. "They called Bill up during my recruiting visit and told him what they were trying to do and build the program. They said they'd like to start it with me coming here."
Handing No. 11 to McLaughlin symbolized USC's high expectations for him to become the face of the basketball program's rebuild. He has exceeded expectations – averaging over 12 points per game over the past four seasons and leading the Trojans to two consecutive 20-plus win seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances.
'A CHILDHOOD DREAM'
McLaughlin aspires to make the NBA, calling it a childhood dream. As a student of the game, he models his play after Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose, and applies bits and pieces from Kyrie Irving and Jeff Teague. But right now, he is focused only on the present.
"I want to finish this year out strong with the team. That's all I'm really worried about right now. Whatever happens at the end of this year happens. I can only control what I can control," McLaughlin explained. "So just keep playing hard every single game and in practice – and then see where it gets me at the end of the year."