A Montana kid through and through. A player with unmatched career stats. A coach that took his alma mater into rarefied air. A jersey number retired.

Few names have meant so much to University of Montana Grizzly basketball as Larry Krystkowiak. And now Jackson Wagner with UM Sports Information tells us that Larry can add another title to his long list of accomplishments: Big Sky Conference Hall of Famer.

The conference announced yesterday (Thursday) that player/coach Krystkowiak is part of its 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Class. He joins fellow Montana legends Dave Dickenson, Shannon (Cate) Schweyen, and Robin Selvig in the 28-person Hall. The four Montana members are tied for the most of any Big Sky school.

As a boy, Larry moved to Missoula from Shelby and graduated from Missoula Big Sky High School. It was here that he stayed for a stellar playing career with the Grizzlies. He would end his four years as arguably the best player in program history. He scored 2,017 points and added 1,105 rebounds, both still Montana school records. In fact, he is the Grizzly basketball program's 2,000-point scorer and the only player with 1,000 rebounds. He is also one of only two players in the top 10 in Big Sky history in both scoring and rebounding. He earned the league’s Most Valuable Player award three consecutive years and remains the only three-time winner in Big Sky history.

And while Larry is being recognized by the Big Sky Conference more for his playing days than coaching career, for good measure, he is the last coach to lead the Grizzlies to an NCAA Tournament win, when his 12th-seeded Griz took down former Big Sky Conference rival Nevada in the opening round of the 2006 tourney, in Salt Lake City.

Well-deserved recognition for a guy synonymous with the Montana Grizzlies and really,  the state of Montana!

The 2023 Big Sky Hall of Fame class will be honored on Saturday, July 22, as part of the Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend in Spokane. Tickets for the event at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino, are $80, which includes admission to the event and the the banquet. You devoted Griz fans can purchase tickets and get more info here.

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