JUSTIN DeGROOD
NBA SKILLS COACH
THE TRAINER
After starting his career as a college basketball coach, a primary focus of Justin's was developing the players within his program. His desire to improve the players within his program led to his passion for developing youth and high school basketball players.
"I began to notice a large number of players simply relying on their athleticism. A player's athleticism can only take them so far. A skilled player has a much higher ceiling. That is where my passion for skill development came. I want to help players develop a plan that will help them reach their goals."
Justin has quickly gained the respect of players and coaches for his knowledge of player development. In the last year alone he has worked with multiple NBA players, including Cole Aldrich (Timberwolves) & Nate Wolters (Jazz), along with manyother overseas professionals.
Justin is a lead trainer for Catalyst Training, running camps and clinics across the Midwest.
THE COACH
Justin DeGrood begins his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Gustavus men’s basketball team in 2016.
A 2007 Gustavus graduate, DeGrood assists his former head coach, Mark Hanson. Coach DeGrood’s main responsibilities for the Gusties include the team's defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and film coordinator.
After graduating from Gustavus, DeGrood obtained coaching experience as an assistant boy’s basketball coach at New Life Academy in Woodbury, Minn. for one season (2007-08) and then moved east to Boston, Mass. to work for Jostens. While on the east coast for two years, DeGrood was able to volunteer his time coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels.
In 2010, Justin made his way back to Minnesota where he took a position with the Bethel University men’s basketball team. He worked two seasons as an assistant before becoming the University’s first graduate assistant coach in 2012.
While at Bethel, DeGrood assisted in the areas of defensive game/practice planning, on-court instruction and specialized in guard play, while also serving as the recruiting and film coordinator, summer camp and tournaments co-coordinator, and the team’s academic supervisor.
OFF THE COURT
Justin currently resides in St. Peter, MN with his wife, Aryn and daughter, Zoey.
Aryn is the gymnastics coach at Gustavus, and holds a Master's Degree from the University of North Dakota. The couple was married in April of 2016.
Justin grew up in Faribault, MN and is a Bethlehem Academy graduate, where he starred on both the football field and the basketball court.