Arkansas State men's basketball head coach
Bryan Hodgson announced the hiring of
Kainan Justiniano as Director of Operations ahead of the 2024-25 season. Justiniano joins the program from LSU, where he served as a graduate assistant.
Before his stint in Baton Rouge, Justiniano spent three years (2021-24) at the Combine Sports Academy in Lincolnton, N.C., where he worked as Director of Basketball Operations and an assistant coach.
"We are thrilled to have Kainan join our staff here at Arkansas State," Hodgson said. "Kainan is tireless worker and rising star in this business. I have been impressed with his work ethic and attention to detail since we first met during his time at Combine Academy. Kainan will be a great asset not only to our program, but to this University and community as well."
At the Combine Academy, Justiniano worked across all areas of the program, coaching high school and post-graduate players while also coordinating travel, practice and game-planning, and assisting with college placement, among other duties.
"I'm extremely excited, blessed, and grateful for Coach Hodgson to give me this opportunity to be a part of something special," Justiniano said. "Coach Hodgson is the true definition of a leader, mentor, and professional. I look forward to working with the A-State community to build the best program possible for our electric fans. I want to thank LSU, Hoop Group, and Combine Academy for preparing me for such an opportunity like this. I look forward to building relationships with the A-State community and help make this place special."
Prior to his time with CSA, he gained valuable operations experience with The Hoop Group in New Jersey, spending seven summers from 2015-21 as an operations assistant (2015-20) and facilities director (2021) while also coaching in the Fallsburg, N.Y., School District. With The Hoop Group, Justiniano helped run tournaments, showcases and camp operations for over 1,000 kids over the course of a summer.
Justiniano earned his bachelor of sport science from the United States Sports Academy in March 2021.
