As Gaucho, former PHS basketballer earns Big West honors

The University of California Santa Barbara men’s basketball team has a player who is out to prove that he is the best in the conference, worthy of a shot at the NBA.

Earning his third career Big West Conference Player of the Week award, former Peninsula High School player JaQuori McLaughlin is continuing his stellar career for the Gauchos and helping his team to compete at a higher level.

“Obviously it’s a cool honor, it really just tells more about my team than myself,” the red shirt senior guard said. “Because if the [others] aren’t doing their job on the court, then we don’t win the game and I don’t win the award. So it’s really an accomplishment for my whole team.”

McLaughlin was awarded Player of the Week for the week of December 14-20. During that time, the Gauchos won a road game against Pepperdine University by the score of 75-63.

He led all scorers with 23 points on the night, throwing in eight assists, four rebounds and a steal in the contest.

“I think it was our defense [that made us effective] and just how we play in transition and the speed that we played with in transition. And just pounding it inside,” McLaughlin said. “We definitely wanted to get stops and that starts back on the defensive end. So getting stops and being able to get out and run… and try to tire out the other team as much as we can.”

The Gauchos are a team that McLaughlin feels has a lot of talented guys on the roster, and that any one of them could have a night where they could score 20 or more points.

They have a high level of chemistry with each other, feeding off their unselfishness and finding ways to win close games. Winning is their main focus and when they do well, they cheer each other on.

“We got guys on our team that are super talented and I think the chemistry that we have really shows,” he said. “Guys aren’t worried about themselves, they’re just trying to win the game. If I have a good game and score 20 points, people are cool with that. If someone else scores 20 points, the whole team is cool with it.”

One of the goals that McLaughlin has for his senior season is to have a high level of consistency for every single game he plays in. Last season, he averaged 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

Through the first five games that he’s played this year, McLaughlin has averaged 16.2 points, three rebounds and 5.2 assists per games. He is hoping to keep his numbers up and lift his teammates to more wins in the season.

“For me, it’s about being consistent every single game. Last year I had games where I would score 20 points and get five assists, so for me it’s about doing that every single night and coming out with the win,” McLaughlin said. “On the defensive end, pushing myself and challenging myself, and also my teammates, so we can be the best possible team we could be.”

McLaughlin as a redshirt senior is one of the older members of the team and his actions and words carry a heavier weight. He is a leader of the team and the example he sets is a big thing to him.

Essentially, the hard work he puts forth during practices and shoot arounds he expects from everyone else on his team. Whenever he has a free minute, a basketball is in his hands and he is sharpening his game.

“If you’re not going hard every day, not talking and not doing those things then the team will follow and not [put in the effort],” McLaughlin said. “Leading by example is a big thing, every single day during practice and it translates to the court.”

Even though he has been lighting it up on the court, McLaughlin and the Gauchos are not immune from what is going on elsewhere in the world.

Because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, there are new protocols that are in place to ensure the safety of the players and coaches. For instance, McLaughlin as an athlete is tested for COVID three times a week.

“It goes back to leadership and the culture of our team; everyone being smart and everyone keeping a personal bubble,” he said. “Not going out and hanging out with people, everybody has been doing a pretty good job with that on our team.”

And like many other sporting events that are happening in the United States, there are no fans in the crowd. It is a little off to McLaughlin, as he does miss feeding off the energy of the crowd. However, the lack of the crowd isn’t hindering him or the team as much either.

Even as a student, things have changed for McLaughlin as he takes all classes online through apps like Zoom. He likes it that way too; as again, he can take his extended free time for homework and also shoot the ball around.

“[Getting to the NBA is] always my goal and it’s still my goal. That’s my plan A and that’s what I’m working towards right now,” he said. “But I got to stay focused on the team and not think too far into the future, and stay in the present right now. Just be locked in on practice and winning games with my team.”

McLaughlin and the Gauchos will continue their young season with a road game that concluded before print against UC Irvine on Monday, and a home game against Cal State Fullerton at 5 p.m. Friday, January 1.

Reach Jordan Whitford at j.whitford@thenewstribune.com

This story was originally published December 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.