Prospect Spotlight: John Loughlin (2022)
John Loughlin, a class of 2022 guard from Episcopal High School, looks like he will be a key contributor throughout the upcoming season. After showing flashes during a productive freshman year, Loughlin has evidently worked on his overall game and looks poised to play at a consistently high-level moving forward. During a recent interview with Prep Hoops, he discussed his offseason preparation and his anticipated role among other topics.
PH: What is the most improved part of your overall game?
JL: “Last year, my freshman year, I had some ups and downs at the beginning of the year but this summer I really worked on just getting stronger and getting my physicality up a little bit more. Working on my ball-handling, being stronger with the ball and just getting my shot off quicker. And working my shot off the bounce. So that was probably the most important thing this offseason. Just getting ready for this season and just getting tougher.”
PH: How did playing with DC Premier help prepare you for this season?
JL: “Coach Chris, he did a great job of just telling me to go out there and play. Let the game come to you. This summer, I was able to just get my mind right and really slow the game down because last year I would speed it up too much. Premier just helped me find myself, slow the game down and make the right play. He just emphasized go out there play and have fun. That’s what I’m trying to do and it definitely helped me for this season.”
PH: In the past, you were known strictly for your shooting, but that has since changed. What made you decide that you needed to expand your overall game?
JL: “Realizing to take my game to the next level I’ve gotta be able to expand on different parts of the game. So I really worked on rebounding. Finding angles to get lower than other people because people are bigger than me so I’ve just gotta find an angle to get in there. And offensively, just being able to pump fake off a shot getting into the paint, find my guys on the outside to kick. And just using my body to finish in the lane. Those were all parts of my game that I needed to work on and am still working on.”
PH: What’s the most underrated part of your overall game?
JL: “I think honestly just my ability to play the point guard position. Just be able to facilitate and push the ball up the court. Hopefully, I’ll show people I can do that throughout the season.”
PH: What do you expect your role to be throughout this season?
JL: “Well I’m just trying to do my part. Whatever coach Fitz asks me to do. But it’s the beginning of the season so we’ll see how things work out. I’m just going to keep playing as hard as I can and do what we can to bring home some championships this year.”
PH: What are your goals?
JL: “Personal goals, just to be efficient with my shot and have good percentages this year. Just really to bring our team together as close as possible. Last year we had those two losses in the IAC Championship and state championship so I just wanna be able to bring those back to Episcopal.”
John Loughlin is currently ranked as a top-40 prospect in his class. To view the full ranking of Virginia’s 2022 class, click here.