3-star guard to visit Corvallis

With names like Avery Bradley, Jason Terry, Terrence Williams, and Jamal Crawford, it's easy to see why the Pacific Northwest has gained a reputation for breeding talented guards.

But for every Brandon Roy who has stayed close to home, more have migrated outside of the region. Bradley starred at Texas, Terry at Arizona, and Williams and Crawford at Louisville and Michigan, respectively.

Wayne Tinkle and staff are planning to change that, starting with JaQuori McLaughlin.

A 2016 prospect out of Gig Harbor, Washington, McLaughlin originally committed to Oregon State last winter.

"J-Roc had a really strong relationship with Coach Robinson," McLaughlin's high school coach, Jake Jackson told BeaverBlitz. "It was crazy. We had been told in March that Coach Robinson would be back so it was kind of a shock when he was let go."

The surprise of Robinson's dismissal prompted McLaughlin to reopen his recruitment and since then the calls have been streaming in.

"Twelve schools called that first day," said Jackson. "Memphis and the University of Washington offered him on the same day. He did an unofficial to Boise State that was basically a two-day extravaganza. They really rolled out the red carpet - he met the whole staff and their families, they did a video presentation, and showed him around the facilities. They basically told him 'you're the most coveted recruit we've ever gone after.'"

Washington made a similar pitch, while sister-school Washington State jumped into the fray, too.

On Thursday, though, McLaughlin will visit Corvallis, and the Beavers are determined to renew his excitement in their program.

"I still feel like Oregon State has a big chance," said Jackson. "Coach Wayne Tinkle sounds like a really good guy and Coach Gregg Gottlieb called the other day and said the Oregon State offer is still on the table."

At stake is a rare talent, according to Johnson, who spent five years working in the Arizona Wildcat's program.

"I've seen elite D-1 players. He's already as good as a lot of guys we had [in Tucson]… He's a top-50 guy, easily… You're not going to find a better shooter… He was one of two freshmen to make all-state and was a top-15 scorer in the state as a sophomore."

Also attractive, is McLaughlin's versatility.

"He's 6-3 but his growth plates are still open so he could still add another 2-3 inches," said Jackson. "Everyone I talk to really likes that he can play the 1 or the 2."

In addition to Oregon State, Oregon, Washington, Washington State, Boise State and Memphis, "everyone" also includes Colorado, Stanford, Virginia, Harvard, and Gonzaga. Mark Few spent several hours with McLaughlin during an unofficial visit and the Bulldogs have all but joined the first group in offering.

Still, don't expect a decision any time soon. McLaughlin now plans to pledge next spring, after his junior year.

"He's special," said Jackson. "I've not seen a kid that's a total package like him - no cable tv, no cell, no internet - he's a 3.5 student that lives in the gym."