LAS CRUCES, N.M. (May 6)-New Mexico State junior Hernst Laroche not only leads the Aggie men’s basketball team on the court but also in the classroom. The steady point guard from Montreal needed only three years to graduate.

Laroche earned a bachelor’s degree in government and will join his fellow graduates in NM State’s afternoon commencement ceremonies at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Pan American Center. He is the first one in his family to graduate from an American university. Next season, Laroche plans to take business courses to fulfill pre-requisites for NM State’s MBA program.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “I think it’s an honor and something great that I’ve accomplished in my life.”

Laroche tackled his academics with the same tenacity he takes onto the basketball court, which allowed him to earn a degree in just three years.

“It was just hard work,” Laroche said. “I just kept grinding and did what I was supposed to do.”

On the hardwood, Laroche has been a model of consistency. He has started in every game, a total of 99, since arriving in Las Cruces in fall 2008. Laroche is on track to break the school records for both games played and minutes played next season. Currently, he ranks second on the NM State all-time list for career assists, with 416.

“We all are extremely proud of Hernst and this accomplishment,” assistant coach Paul Weir said. “During his three years here, he has been a leader and set a great example for what Aggie basketball is all about.”

In addition to the championship hardware Laroche will leave Las Cruces with next year, he will have set a new standard for Aggies both on the court and in the classroom.