Larry Krystkowiak, whose playing career at Montana spanned from 1982-86, ranks as the men’s basketball program’s leading scorer and rebounder after compiling 2,017 points and 1,105 boards. Krystkowiak remains eighth in the Big Sky for all-time leading scorers and fourth among the league’s leading rebounders. Krystkowiak was named the Big Sky’s MVP three times, becoming the first ever conference player to achieve the feat. The Shelby, Montana native was also a three-time AP All-America Honorable Mention pick and a two-time NABC All-District First Team member while with the Griz. 
 
After his career ended in Missoula, Krystkowiak was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bulls in 1986, which ranks him as one of only seven Big Sky players to be selected in the NBA Draft since 1986. Krystkowiak played seven seasons in the NBA before the next chapter in his career as a coach. Krystkowiak led Montana to a 42-20 record and two conference titles between 2004-06, while taking the Griz to two NCAA Tournaments and winning a first-round game. Montana’s upset of No. 5 seed Nevada in 2006 remains the last Big Sky victory in the NCAA Tournament.  
 
Krystkowiak was ranked second on the Big Sky Conference’s list of “50 Greatest Male Athletes of All-Time” back in 2014, while being inducted into Montana’s Hall of Fame in 1993. Krystkowiak is the only Montana men’s basketball player to have his jersey retired, as his No. 42 hangs in the rafters. Krystkowiak also served as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA and the Utah Utes.