He played college basketball for the Oregon State Beavers and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.

[3] Before his second year, McLaughlin began suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing a terrorist attack during his team's summer trip to Spain.

[6] As a senior, he averaged 16 points, 5.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, helping UC Santa Barbara win the Big West regular season and tournament title.

Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the Mavs and their NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

[17][18] In March 2024, McLaughlin join Pelita Jaya for the 2024 Basketball Champions League Asia.

[20] As of 2021, McLaughlin's father, Jason, serves as an assistant basketball coach at Tacoma Community College, where his younger brother, Elijah, plays the point guard position.