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Chasing the same dream: Father-son duo ready for new era of Sun Devil Basketball

Freshman guard JRob Croy and Associate Head Coach Rick Croy will begin the 2026-27 season chasing the same dream as part of a new era for Sun Devil Men’s Basketball.

Chasing the same dream: Father-son duo ready for new era of Sun Devil BasketballChasing the same dream: Father-son duo ready for new era of Sun Devil Basketball
Sun Devil Athletics / Emma Jeanson
by Meredith Cunningham

When Randy Bennett took on the head coaching job for Sun Devil Men’s Basketball in March, he brought familiar faces with him from St. Mary’s, where he spent the past 25 seasons as head coach of the Gaels.

Among them was an incoming recruit: JRob Croy, a freshman guard who flipped his commitment from St. Mary’s to Arizona State. He wanted to stay with the coach who believed in him the most. 

“I thought playing for Coach Bennett was going to be the best thing for me and for my development,” said JRob. “When Coach decided to come to ASU and asked me to come with him, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me.”

Days later, another familiar face joined the migration. 

Rick Croy, JRob’s father, accepted Bennett’s offer to join them in Tempe as associate head coach after spending 13 seasons as head coach at California Baptist. Before leading the Lancers, Rick served as Bennett’s lead assistant at Saint Mary’s from 2010 to 2013. 

“It wasn’t on our bingo card for 2026,” Jamie Croy, Rick’s wife and JRob’s mom, said with a laugh.

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Why Arizona State was the right choice
While JRob’s decision was a no-brainer, Rick’s came with a more complicated question.

How would JRob feel about his father being his coach again? This isn’t middle school basketball anymore. It’s the Big 12. 

According to Jamie, the possibility of JRob playing Division I basketball for his father was never something the family seriously discussed.

“We avoided talking about it at home because we felt from the beginning that it needed to be JRob’s journey and JRob’s decision,” said Jamie.

“It was definitely a concern of Rick’s. He didn’t want to disrupt JRob’s journey or excitement for what was right in front of him.” 

So the decision was made with careful consideration. Rick made sure his son’s best interests came first.

“When the opportunity presented itself, I ran it by him. I asked, ‘What do you think about this?’ and he really didn’t hesitate. I think he feels the same way I do,” Rick said.

“We’re both very like-minded competitors, and this could be something special.”

JRob agreed. 

“I’ve always thought my dad was a great coach,” he said. “Together, I think we’re helping to build a program that is going to be super exciting to watch.”

The Croy family, Kayden, Rick, Jamie, JRobThe Croy family, left to right: Kayden, Rick, Jamie, and JRob. 

Raised in the NCAA
JRob was raised watching his father build programs. During Rick’s 13 years at Cal Baptist, the Lancers transformed from a Division II powerhouse to a Division I NCAA Tournament team in the 2025-26 season. 

Along the way, JRob was rarely far from the action. He spent his time around team practices, in locker rooms, on the sidelines, and alongside the players who became role models. 

“That’s probably one of my favorite things about my childhood,” JRob recalled. “I’ve looked up to college athletes and have always aspired to be in this situation. Now it’s my turn to be a college player, and it’s a little bit surreal that it’s my time to go chase my dreams.” 

As JRob got older, it became clear he was willing to put in the hard work and earn his place on a Division I roster. That was the ultimate goal. As a result, he embraced his father’s coaching.

"The harder you coached him, the more he felt like one of the boys and that he belonged,” Rick said. 

"There was a point when Rick thought he was coaching him too hard,” Jamie recalled. “And JRob basically told him, 'You’ve got to coach me harder.'”

To the benefit of Arizona State, that competitive mindset remains unchanged today.

“He was hard on me, but at the same time, it’s definitely a factor into why I’m the player I am today,” JRob noted.

“He’s definitely my biggest critic, but he’s definitely my biggest supporter, too. He’s going to let me know when I need to be better, what I need to fix, and make sure that I’m in line and I do what I’m supposed to do.”

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Building Arizona State's
new basketball culture
The story, however, isn’t just about the Croys. It’s about Arizona State Basketball and its rebuild under Bennett. 

Bennett built the St. Mary’s program around continuity, relationships and players committed to something larger than themselves. Those same values are what convinced the Croys that Tempe is the right place to be.

“I think it’s important for my teammates to know that I’m all in with them,” JRob said.

“It’s not about me playing for my dad or my dad coaching me. It’s about ASU basketball and helping ASU basketball win.”

That’s why JRob, who will major in sports business, has already moved into an apartment with teammates rather than living at home. He wants to experience college life alongside the rest of the roster already on campus.

That team-first mentality is one reason Rick believes his son fits naturally into Coach Bennett’s vision. 

“He loves being on a team,” Rick added.

“That’s an underrated thing nowadays. Everybody wants accolades and statistics. He just loves the pursuit of winning.”

Jamie and JRob Croy

A mom’s dream come true, too
For Jamie, who also played basketball at St. Mary’s and coached at the collegiate level for seven years, watching her son arrive at this moment has been just *a little* emotional.

“He was just a little kid running around the gym, and he admired the young men who were Rick’s players,” she said with a few tears.

“He couldn’t wait for the time when it was his turn. All he wanted was to play Division I basketball. Now here he is, getting to live out his dream.”

Aside from the overwhelming emotion of seeing your child living their dream, Jamie, meanwhile, is grateful she won’t have to choose one game over the other.

“My wife is probably the most competitive person in our family,” said Rick. “So for her to be able to only have to follow one college basketball team is heaven-sent.” 

"Yeah, I just don’t like to miss anything,” Jamie admitted. “But before any of this happened, I joked with Rick that I was going to miss his games to go see JRob if there was an overlap.” 

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The new era of Sun Devil Basketball
Excitement around Sun Devil Basketball is already growing after Molly Miller’s historic first season leading the women’s program in 2025-26. 

Now Bennett and his staff hope to generate similar momentum on the men’s side.

“We want to create a culture and a community where people want to come to basketball games, and I think we’re going to be a team that’s going to be super exciting to watch,” JRob said. 

“We have great people, a great program, and I think people are really going to enjoy watching us build this thing. We’re going to win, be great examples in the community and do things the right way.”

Rick is equally as excited. 

“I want fans to know that we’re incredibly excited to represent Arizona State University,” he said.

“They’re going to see a team that’s going to get better as the season progresses, and a team that plays for each other and plays for the university. We will have a true team that has a chance to play our best when it counts the most, which is in March.” 

Father and son in the Big 12
In many ways, the Croy’s story mirrors the vision Arizona State hopes to create. One built on relationships, loyalty and long-term investment.

As the Sun Devils begin a new era under Bennett, one of the most compelling storylines won’t be found in a box score.

It will be standing on the sidelines. A father and son. A shared dream and a journey neither one saw coming.

The last time Rick Croy coached JRob in a game, his son was in middle school. The next time, it will be in the Big 12.

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