LAS CRUCES, N.M. - NM State men's basketball assistant coach Preston Laird has been selected to attend the prestigious Silver Waves Elite 75 Future Head Coach Power Lunch during the Men's Final Four on April 3 in San Antonio, Texas. 

Recognized as one of the premier networking events in college basketball, the luncheon brings together 75 top assistant coaches from across the nation, offering them the opportunity to connect with Athletic Directors and Associate ADs from various programs. The event has proven to be a stepping-stone for future head coaches, as 10 attendees from last year's gathering went on to secure Division I head coaching positions. 

Laird, who is in his first season as an assistant coach on the staff, was one of 75 assistant coaches to get the nod to attend the power lunch. He made his way back to Las Cruces after spending five seasons as an assistant coach under Darrel Walker for the Little Rock Trojans. Last season, Laird helped lead the Trojans to a 21-win season and secure the OVC regular season championship and the number one seed in the conference tournament after being picked to finish seventh in the 11-team Ohio Valley Conference. 

Prior to his time in Little Rock and UNLV, Laird spent four seasons at NM State, working with former head coach Marvin Menzies before following him to UNLV. At NM State he served in numerous positions and played a key role in helping the Aggies to four-straight postseason appearances and a pair of WAC regular season titles. 

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