NATCHITOCHES – There are few places Jalan West feels more comfortable in than Prather Coliseum.

 

On any basketball court, the Northwestern State star point guard has no trepidation about shooting win-or-lose shots in the closing seconds, no matter how packed or hostile the crowd in the arena may be.

 

But he was rather nervous Friday morning, wearing a cap and gown, sitting on stage in front of hundreds of fellow graduates, as the one chosen to introduce the commencement speaker, Louisiana Gov. Jon Bel Edwards.

 

"It's not like shooting two free throws in front of 15,000 people, down one in the last seconds. It was much scarier than that," said West. "But it was a great experience, to say the least."

 

In the three commencements overseen by second-year NSU president Dr. Jim Henderson, a graduating senior has welcomed the featured speaker to the podium. West drew double duty Friday, also introducing the afternoon speaker, acclaimed physician and NSU alumnus Dr. James L. Holly.

 

Henderson tendered the invitation to West last summer, not long after the two tangled in an epic, ballyhooed battle of H-O-R-S-E last August on the backyard basket at the president's residence on campus.

 

That contest, and another in October in Prather adding star Lady Demon senior point guard Janelle Perez to the mix, went predictably well for West. The topic came up on stage Friday morning.

 

"I'd like to thank Dr. Henderson for allowing me to do this," said the Bossier native, who graduated with a general studies degree. "I'm very honored, and relieved that he didn't take his losses in H-O-R-S-E personally."

 

West went on to offer a few quotes on leadership before introducing Gov. Edwards, citing his leadership skills honed as a cadet at West Point, the U.S. Military Academy, and also praising the first-year governor for his strong support of higher education.

 

Edwards had done his homework on West.

 

"Jalan, thank you for the introduction. I was going to invite you over to the mansion for a game of H-O-R-S-E but Dr. Henderson told me I should probably reconsider that," he cracked.

 

Then the governor referenced NSU's appeal to the NCAA asking for another season for West with the Demons. The 2014-15 NCAA assists leader suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2015-16 season opener.

 

"We all hope this is not the last time you put on a purple outfit and represent Northwestern State University," said Edwards.

 

Before the ceremony began, the governor passed along his personal congratulations to the new NSU alumnus.

 

"He told me to keep doing what I'm doing, that I'm doing a great job of being a role model to kids," said West, one of 952 graduates on Friday. "I hope I continue to do the right things. I've gotten a lot of support from so many people, from all aspects of my life, and I truly appreciate it."

 

The day's events were more than a bit surreal for the usually unflappable West.

 

"Coming out of high school I didn't know what to expect, other than the basketball part of it. To graduate and be one of the first in my family to do so is a big step. It really hasn't hit me completely right now, but I'm sure when I'm done with basketball and I'm deeper into my life it will really be meaningful to me," he said.

 

"It's unbelievable. I never thought I'd be in this position, to speak at a graduation, even to graduate from college, and to do all those things in one day, that's pretty big-time, and I'm very blessed and thankful for everything."

 

While West was still taking it all in Friday, he had no doubt about one thing. Veteran Demons coach Mike McConathy, known to wear his emotions on his sleeve, was unquestionably misty-eyed watching West, and teammates Ta'Jon Welcome and Will Poole, receive their diplomas.

 

"I'm pretty sure Coach Dad cried a whole lot," said West, grinning.