From the hardwood of Whitinsville Christian to the championship courts of Sweden, Justin Vander Baan has added a new trophy to his collection. The 7-foot former Crusaders star recently captured his first professional basketball championship with Boras Basket in the Swedish Basketligan, marking a triumphant debut season overseas.

"That felt good," Vander Baan shared from his family's home in Northbridge, just two days after returning to the U.S. "I was happy to win it for the older guys on the team who made it to the final the last three years but lost. I'm happy they finally got a championship and I'm very happy to win my first championship."

The journey to this milestone was anything but ordinary. After a standout collegiate career at Lafayette College, where he dominated as a senior—ranking among NCAA leaders in blocked shots and earning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honors—Vander Baan entered the professional ranks with confidence.

"The opportunity to be an important player at Lafayette set me up well to be a pro," he explained. "Because of last year at Lafayette I thought, 'I know I can do this.' I went into Sweden the most confident I've probably ever been as a player."

Following his graduation in May 2025, Vander Baan's agent quickly connected him with Boras Basket, a team in Sweden's top-tier league. He signed his rookie contract in July and arrived in Boras—a city known as Sweden's textile hub and its rainiest—in late August. The transition wasn't seamless, as European basketball's emphasis on set plays contrasted sharply with the motion offense he ran at Lafayette.

"I did the job on defense like I normally do, but my offense was up and down the entire year," Vander Baan admitted. "I think I found a better flow toward the end of the year."

Starting most of the season, he averaged 8.5 points and 7.9 rebounds, proving his value on both ends of the floor. A three-star recruit out of Whitinsville Christian—where he averaged an eye-popping 24.2 points per game as a senior—Vander Baan began his college career at Boston College before finding his stride at Lafayette.

Now, with a championship ring and a season of European experience under his belt, the former Crusader is already looking ahead. For fans following his journey, it's a story of growth, resilience, and the universal thrill of winning—no matter the league or the latitude.