New Mexico State University Athletics

2009-10 (Graduate Student)

Merker concluded his Aggie career in 2009-10 with 23 appearances. He averaged 1.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game for the Crimson and White and shot 90 percent from the free-throw line. In the home opener against New Mexico (Nov. 17), Merker played a career-high 21 minutes and supplied four points and three rebounds in the first rivalry contest of the season. He then scored a career-high five points along with his first blocked shot and assist of the year in a 83-73 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State (Nov. 21). In the Aggies’ first win over UTEP (Dec. 13) in El Paso since December 2006, Merker had a career-high five rebounds in the 87-80 victory. Additionally, Merker was successful in the classroom, and he became the second Aggie in program history to earn Academic All-WAC honors.

2008-09 (Senior)

In his first season with the Aggies, Merker saw action in six games for the Crimson and White. He played in the season opener against UC Riverside (Nov. 15) before his first appearance in a rivalry game at New Mexico (Dec. 23). Merker had a season-best performance against Loyola Marymount (Dec. 28) with two points on his first field goal attempt along with four rebounds in only six minutes. In his first WAC game, Merker supplied valuable minutes for the Aggies in the 62-60 win at Nevada (Feb. 7). He grabbed two boards and was 1-for-2 in his first showing at the free-throw line to help NM State to its first win in Reno since Feb. 3, 2000. Merker also made an appearance against Fresno State (Feb. 14) and at Hawai’i (March 7). In May 2009, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in government.

New Mexico State

As a student at NM State, Merker is a Crimson Scholar. In his three years in Las Cruces, he has worked with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams as a member of the practice squads.

High School

He graduated from Monte del Sol High School, in Santa Fe, N.M., in 2005. Merker was a four-year letter winner for the Dragons and head coach Alfredo Lujan. In his senior campaign, Merker guided Monte del Sol to a district runner-up finish and a 26-12 record. He averaged 25 points and 14 rebounds and was an honorable mention 2A All-State selection. Merker was also named to the first team 2A All-District and the 2005 north all-star teams. As a freshman, Merker and the Dragons finished the year with a 16-0 record.

Personal

Merker is the son of Randy Merker and Leslie Nevins. He is pursuing a master’s degree in applied geography.