RJ grew up in Chicago Illinois by way of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Coach Dean has been successful in many levels with the game of basketball. As a multiple all conference selection in high school all defensive players of the year honors, while being one of the all-time leaders in steals and assists at Rogers high school in Minnesota. RJ went on to carry out his future at the collegiate level playing at the university of Minnesota Morris; graduating with a sports management degree. During his college years RJ was a 4-year starter hailing accolades of all conference selections, freshman of the year, and becoming a 1000 point scorer. During college RJ joined Midwest elite basketball and coach with several AAU programs during the spring and summer to grow himself as a coach. He coached one year of high school in Minnesota before making the trek to college where he would coach at 3 different junior colleges in the Midwest over a span of 4 years. RJ always wanted to start his own youth AAU program and moved to Colorado with the mission to start a program and build hoop culture here. He was very inspired and motives when he helped with basketball camps throughout the state over a month’s span and felt he could help change the culture of basketball in Colorado.