An update on Nevada recruit Mark McLaughlin

We caught a bit of heat earlier when we posted a previous article on Wolf Pack prospect Mark McLaughlin, along with the introduction that the kid looks to be in a struggle to meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements for D-1 basketball recruits.

We recall the comment in mind took us to task for writing the above, saying we should have congratulated the kid for re-ordering his priorities (leaving his high school team to focus solely on academics).

Our response was that we were in no way criticizing Mark McLaughlin, simply that a prepster doesn't leave his team in mid - season in order to hit the books harder unless there is a problem to rectify. We didn't then and don't now have a bone to pick with McLaughlin -- what we wrote was the reality as we perceived it with no element of criticism.

Currently, McLaughlin has apparently yet to take the SAT, which is a requirement, as is a passing score. He is also taking additional classes to meet graduation and eligibility prerequisites.

Hey, if the kid earns his freshman eligibility, then great for him. Nevada will be a better team for it and the WAC a better conference for it.

As best we can, we approach such matters with a quest for what is real rather than having our vision impaired by any semblance of fandom or partisanship. But fans being fans have no such obligation.

Pack basketball: McLaughlin ready to hit court, books
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
April 18, 2008

Most prep basketball stars are thinking about leading their team to a state title or setting school scoring records during their senior year of high school.

Mark McLaughlin was busy wading through textbooks, taking extra classes and studying for the SAT.

The soon-to-be University of Nevada shooting guard had a most unusual senior season.

After playing 12 games for Inglemoor High of Kenmore, Wash., McLaughlin left his team to focus on academics so he would be eligible to play for the Wolf Pack next fall. The decision wasn't made easily, and he was criticized by some people in his community. But it was a decision he had to make.

"It was real hard to not play the rest of the season," McLaughlin said. "I love to play basketball, I love to compete and I wanted to take my team to state, but I had to do it."

Although it was a difficult decision, it seems to have been the correct one.

McLaughlin's mother, Maureen, said "everything's looking great" academically, adding that she has already put down the deposit for his dorm room.

Nevada coach Mark Fox said he was cautiously optimistic McLaughlin would be cleared to play next year...

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