McLaughlin reflects on team’s rise from the bottom

Kris McLaughlin transferred here for his sophomore year in the fall of 2008. He It wasn't long before he was earning big minutes as shooting guard during one of the team's worst seasons in recent memory. The 2008-2009 season finished with a paltry 1-24 record – a far cry from this season's 16-8 record. If you asked him for the best memory of his MCLA basketball career, though, he'll tell you it was the one win from his sophomore season, against New York's Vassar College.

"Just being with the team and seeing how happy everyone was, seeing all of your best friends and everyone was jumping around like we won a national championship or something, that was great," McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin, who credits his parents Pat and Cheryl (regular home game attendees) for all the support, has grown as a person and a player since coming to MCLA. McLaughlin, and his parents, knew MCLA was the right fit for him.

"I had toured here before. I knew what I was getting into," McLaughlin said.

He got into a close knit team that has improved its chemistry on and off the court in recent years. McLaughlin calls teammate James Rivers his best friend.

"When I had just first got to campus he [Rivers] immediately reached out," McLaughlin explained.

With the influx the team experienced over the last couple seasons, McLaughlin's role has changed, but as a veteran, he's still relishing the experience.

"My minutes have gone down, but, my job now is to come off the bench and help push the starters to get better," McLaughlin said.

One thing that hadn't changed was McLaughlin's opinion of his head coach Jamie Morrison, whose leadership and personality strengthened the team especially as of late.

"He's really loyal. He'll go out on a limb and do anything for you. This year especially he's been very fiery; I don't think I've ever seen him this fiery. He always treats every one of his players the same, which is something I admire," McLaughlin said.

When McLaughlin thought about his three years here, there's one moment moment he'd like to relive, just to get it right. Once again, this comes from his sophomore year when the team played Framingham State at home – McLaughlin had the ball with a few seconds left before the halftime buzzer.

"I went up for the layup to beat the buzzer and the ball went all the way around the rim and out. I just lost my mind, and the momentum helped but I just hit the door on the way out from frustration for missing a layup," McLaughlin explained.

McLaughlin broke a knuckle on his right hand because of this, and although he wishes he could take the punch back (and make the layup while he was at it).  It's that kind of story that exemplified McLaughlin's enthusiasm for winning, and for his team.

What McLaughlin will miss the most after graduation won't surprise anyone.

"Being around the guys, on the bus, at practice, watching film. All of that. That's what I'm going to miss the most," McLaughlin said.

After getting his degree, Kris McLaughlin plans on attending graduate school for criminal justice. He'd like to take his career in the direction of law enforcement, possibly as a police officer. However, he won't rule out coaching basketball, at least as a part time occupation.

(by Costia Karolinski/MCLA Beacon)