High energy, attention to detail have spurred ODU’s Jordan McLaughlin

NORFOLK — Jordan McLaughlin is in her second season with the Old Dominion women’s basketball team, and the point guard is commanding attention. “My teammates know when I’m on the court, I’m going to give it my all,” said McLaughlin, a 5 7 senior from Charlotte, North Carolina. “It’s more like showing as an example, like letting them hear me and feel my energy — even on the little things.

If we get a stop, I’m clapping at the bench, looking at people and trying to get them hyped about the little things. I think that helps bring the energy level up.” McLaughlin is leading ODU in minutes (27.3) and assists (26). She’s also second in scoring (8.7) and third in steals (11). All are very close to last season’s numbers.

The Monarchs (9 2) are 1 0 in Sun Belt Conference play heading into home games this week against Louisiana (6:30 p.m. Thursday) and Southern Miss (1 p.m. Saturday). ODU’s only losses are at VCU and at home against No. 3 N.C. State. “Jordan is one of our leaders in this program,” said coach DeLisha Milton Jones, who picked up here 100th victory in four seasons at ODU last week.

“The thing I love about her the most is her attention to detail — and more than anything is her attention to me.” Milton Jones said the two have a deep connection forged from countless hours on the phone or after practice, when McLaughin picks her brain about basketball. It’s manifested on the court as though they are on the same wavelength.

“That’s exciting for me because I’ve been part of championship teams that I’ve witnessed that type of relationship and rapport between point guard and coach,” Milton Jones said. “And for us to have that, it brings back a feeling of nostalgia and makes me feel really good about where we’re going.” It’s been a quick transition for McLaughlin, who came to ODU as a fiery and combative competitor.

“Now, I’ve started to listen more than to let myself be heard,” she said. “And it’s helped me be calm and see the other side of the picture. I understand that everything being told to me is to benefit me — to help me learn instead of things getting pointed out to show that I don’t know anything.

“It’s helped me grow up to where I don’t use my emotions on my drives, I’m poised in my play and I take what the defense gives me.” Milton Jones added that McLaughlin’s growth has come from internalizing the critique, accepting it and applying it to her playing style without attaching emotion to it.

McLaughlin is now focused on using that energy to keep the team’s emotions even keeled, breaking up tense situations by cracking jokes and making her teammates smile, relax and not dwell on mistakes or criticisms. “She put in all those man hours for it to manifest the way it has today,” Milton Jones said.

“And when we win a championship, it’ll be because of her. If the gym is quiet, it’s because something’s wrong, if there’s chatter in the gym, laughter — if the energy is high, it’s because everything is right with Jordan.” Milton Jones said McLaughlin has become a true point guard with all the assists and more so with all the other intangibles that don’t show up on a stat sheet, such as being a vocal leader and her ability to influence team camaraderie with a mix of competitiveness and comfortability.

In essence, Milton Jones sees McLaughlin portraying a miniature version of herself on the court.But McLaughlin can also turn on the scoring at any minute and get a bucket, as evident in two standout instances last season when she drained the winning bucket in an 84 82 overtime victory over Georgia Southern and notched a then career high 21 points in a 66 63 win over Marshall.

McLaughlin has scored in double figures in 16 career games for ODU, including back to back 22 point displays against William & Mary and Florida Gulf Coast. “She’s the ultimate competitor,” Milton Jones said. “When it’s time to play, something happens — her superwoman costume just comes out of nowhere and she has a mindset that she’s invincible and wants to win.”.