Larry Krystkowiak is a former professional basketball player who played for several teams in the NBA and overseas. He was born on September 23, 1964, in Missoula, Montana, and grew up in Shelby, Montana. Krystkowiak played college basketball at the University of Montana, where he was a two-time Big Sky Conference MVP and led the Grizzlies to two NCAA tournament appearances.
After college, Krystkowiak was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft. He played for the Bulls for two seasons before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1989. Krystkowiak played for the Bucks for four seasons and was a key player on the team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001.
Krystkowiak also played for the Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers during his NBA career. He was known for his tough, physical play and his ability to rebound and defend. Krystkowiak was a fan favorite wherever he played, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
After retiring from playing basketball, Krystkowiak began his coaching career. He started as an assistant coach at the University of Montana, where he had played in college. He then moved on to become an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Utah.
In 2006, Krystkowiak was named the head coach of the Montana Grizzlies men's basketball team. He led the team to two Big Sky Conference championships and two NCAA tournament appearances in his four seasons as head coach.
In 2011, Krystkowiak was hired as the head coach of the University of Utah men's basketball team. He inherited a program that had struggled in recent years, but he quickly turned things around. In his second season, Krystkowiak led the Utes to the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years. He has since led the team to four more NCAA tournament appearances and has established Utah as one of the top programs in the Pac-12 conference.
Krystkowiak is known for his intense, no-nonsense coaching style and his emphasis on defense and rebounding. He has been praised for his ability to develop players and for his commitment to building a winning culture at Utah.
Overall, Larry Krystkowiak had a successful basketball career as both a player and a coach. He was a tough, physical player who was respected by his peers, and he has become a respected coach who has built winning programs at both Montana and Utah.
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