San_Diego_State_Aztecs_men's_basketball
San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball
College men's basketball team representing San Diego State University
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team is the men's college basketball program that represents San Diego State University. The Aztecs compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW). The team plays their home games at Viejas Arena.
- For information on all San Diego State University sports, see San Diego State Aztecs
| San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
 | ||||
| University | San Diego State University | |||
| First season | 1921–22 | |||
| All-time record | 1,485–1,125 (.569) | |||
| Head coach | Brian Dutcher (7th season) | |||
| Conference | Mountain West | |||
| Location | San Diego, California | |||
| Arena | Viejas Arena (Capacity: 12,414) | |||
| Nickname | Aztecs | |||
| Student section | The Show | |||
| Colors | Scarlet and black[1] | |||
| Uniforms | ||||
| ||||
| NCAA tournament runner-up | ||||
| 2023 | ||||
| NCAA tournament Final Four | ||||
| 2023 | ||||
| NCAA tournament Elite Eight | ||||
| 1957*, 1967*, 2023 | ||||
| NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen | ||||
| 1957*, 1967*, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024 | ||||
| NCAA tournament round of 32 | ||||
| 1957*, 1967*, 1968*, 1975, 1976, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023, 2024 | ||||
| NCAA tournament appearances | ||||
| 1957*, 1967*, 1968*, 1975, 1976, 1985, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 *at Division II level | ||||
| Conference tournament champions | ||||
| Mountain West: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 WAC: 1985 PCAA: 1976 | ||||
| Conference regular season champions | ||||
| Mountain West: 2006, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2023 PCAA: 1977, 1978 | ||||
The Aztecs have been to sixteen NCAA Division I tournaments since joining NCAA Division I in 1969, last appearing in the tournament in 2024. In the 2023 NCAA tournament, they reached the Final Four for the first time in program history, losing to UConn in the championship game. In the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs have won seven tournament championships and nine regular season titles.
Notable alumni include NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn, who played both basketball and baseball for the Aztecs.
The Aztecs first began play during the 1921–22 basketball season. The team played that season, as well as the next three, as part of the Southern California Junior College Conference due to proximity to other schools, despite the fact that that SDSU (then known as San Diego Normal School) was not a junior college itself.[2] The Aztecs joined the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) in 1926 following a season as an independent, and competed in the NAIA until 1956, when they transitioned to the newly founded NCAA Division II. They competed in six NAIA Men's Basketball Championships. Finishing as runners up in 1939 and in 1940, the Aztecs finally prevailed and won the 1941 NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament.[3] After competing in NCAA Division II from 1956 until 1969 they became an NCAA Division I school in the fall of 1969. The Aztecs moved from the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA), which is now known as the Big West Conference, to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1978.[4] In 1999, the Aztecs left the WAC and became a charter member of the Mountain West Conference.[5] Prior to entering the Mountain West, the team had been to three NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. During their time in the MWC, the Aztecs have won several conference championships and have been to nine NCAA tournaments and four NIT tournaments.[5] In the 2010–11 season, the Aztecs were ranked as high as 4th in the nation and won their first ever games in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen.[6] Following the 2013–14 season, the team reached its second Sweet Sixteen. In the 2019–20 season, the Aztecs finished with a 30–2 record for their best winning percentage in team history. The team spent seven straight weeks in the top 5 of both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll, finishing the season at #6 in both polls. The 2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was cancelled at the end of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2022–2023 season, the Aztecs reached their third Sweet Sixteen, first Elite Eight with a win over #1 Alabama, and first Final Four. The win over Creighton on March 26 in the South Region Final gave them their first Region championship in program history. On April 1, they became the first team from the Mountain West Conference to reach the National Championship after defeating FAU 72–71 on a buzzer-beating shot by point guard Lamont Butler. In the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game, the Aztecs were defeated by the University of Connecticut Huskies by a score of 59–76.[7]
The Aztecs have three rivalries, the UNLV Rebels, the USD Toreros, and the BYU Cougars. The rivalry with the Rebels was especially fierce between the years 2010–2013, however the rivalry has cooled down significantly due to the one-sided nature of the affair. San Diego State has won 22 of 24 games against UNLV from 2014 to 2024. The USD Toreros are the Aztecs' crosstown rivals and play them near-annually in the City Championship. The Aztecs' rivalry with the BYU Cougars has been partially dormant since 2011, when the Cougars left the MWC for the WCC. The teams still play occasionally in non-conference games.
Viejas Arena
Viejas Arena (officially Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl) is a multi-purpose arena located in San Diego, California on the campus of San Diego State University. The arena opened in 1997 and seats 12,414 for basketball and up to 12,845 for concerts.
Viejas Arena is the home of the San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams. The arena also hosts the San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation. The arena features an "open-air" concourse design that allows fans to experience breaks, concessions, and event activities for games, concerts, and other events outdoors.
Prior to the opening of the arena, men's basketball played its home games primarily at Peterson Gymnasium (located across the street from Viejas Arena and the current home to the Aztec women's volleyball team), and, for more than 30 years, played on-and-off at the San Diego Sports Arena.[8][9][10]
Jeff Jacobs JAM Center
In 2015, the San Diego State Athletics Department opened an on-campus state-of-the-art practice facility, The Jeff Jacobs JAM Center, for the Aztec men's basketball and women's basketball teams.[11]
As of the 2022 Media Guide
| Name | Seasons | Record | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.E. Peterson | 1921–1926 | 70–30 | .700 |
| Tom McMullen | 1926–1929 | 23–17 | .575 |
| Morris Gross | 1929–1942 | 190–85 | .690 |
| Don DeLauer | 1942–1943 | 14–9 | .609 |
| Alex Alexander | 1943–1945 | 17–26 | .395 |
| Charlie Smith | 1945–1948 | 45–36 | .563 |
| George Ziegenfuss | 1948–1969 | 316–229 | .580 |
| Dick Davis | 1969–1974 | 65–67 | .492 |
| Tim Vezie | 1974–1979 | 77–62 | .554 |
| Smokey Gaines | 1979–1987 | 112–117 | .489 |
| Jim Brandenburg | 1987–1991 | 52–87 | .356 |
| Jim Harrick Jr. (Interim coach) | 1992 | 0–7 | .000 |
| Tony Fuller | 1992–1994 | 20–37 | .351 |
| Fred Trenkle | 1994–1999 | 55–83 | .399 |
| *Steve Fisher | 1999–2017 | 386–209 | .648 |
| Brian Dutcher | 2017–Present | 151–46 | .766 |
- Through April 2nd 2023.
NCAA Division I tournament results
The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament 16 times, with a combined record of 13–16. They have reached the Sweet Sixteen four times, in 2011, 2014, 2023, and 2024; in 2023 they reached the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the National Championship, all for the first time. Additionally, at 30–2 and ranked in the Top 10 they were considered a virtual lock for the 2020 NCAA Tournament, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | N/A | Round of 32 | UNLV | L 80–90 |
| 1976 | N/A | Round of 32 | UCLA | L 64–74 |
| 1985 | 13 | Round of 64 | (4) UNLV | L 80–85 |
| 2002 | 13 | First Round | (4) Illinois | L 64–93 |
| 2006 | 11 | First Round | (6) Indiana | L 83–87 |
| 2010 | 11 | First Round | (6) Tennessee | L 59–62 |
| 2011 | 2 | First Round Round of 32 Sweet Sixteen | (15) Northern Colorado (7) Temple (3) Connecticut | W 68–50 W 71–64 2OT L 67–74 |
| 2012 | 6 | First Round | (11) NC State | L 65–79 |
| 2013 | 7 | First Round Round of 32 | (10) Oklahoma (15) Florida Gulf Coast | W 70–55 L 71–81 |
| 2014 | 4 | First Round Round of 32 Sweet Sixteen | (13) New Mexico State (12) North Dakota State (1) Arizona | W 73–69 OT W 63–44 L 64–70 |
| 2015 | 8 | First Round Round of 32 | (9) St. John's (1) Duke | W 76–64 L 49–68 |
| 2018 | 11 | First Round | (6) Houston | L 65–67 |
| 2021 | 6 | First Round | (11) Syracuse | L 62–78 |
| 2022 | 8 | First Round | (9) Creighton | L 69–72 OT |
| 2023 | 5 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National Championship | (12) Charleston (13) Furman (1) Alabama (6) Creighton (9) Florida Atlantic (4) UConn | W 63–57 W 75–52 W 71–64 W 57–56 W 72–71 L 59–76 |
| 2024 | 5 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | (12) UAB (13) Yale (1) UConn | W 69–65 W 85–57 L 52–82 |
NCAA Tournament seeding history
The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1978 edition with the present seeding format beginning the following year.
NIT results
The Aztecs have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times, with a combined record of 8–6.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | First round | UC Irvine | L 69–70 |
| 2003 | First round Second Round | UC Santa Barbara Texas Tech | W 67–62 L 57–48 |
| 2007 | First round Second Round | Missouri State Syracuse | W 74–70 L 64–80 |
| 2008 | First round | Florida | L 49–73 |
| 2009 | First round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Weber State Kansas State Saint Mary's Baylor | W 65–49 W 70–52 W 70–66 L 62–76 |
| 2016 | First round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | IPFW Washington Georgia Tech George Washington | W 79–55 W 93–78 W 72–56 L 46–65 |
NCAA Division II tournament results
The Aztecs appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament three times, with a combined record of 5–3.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Regional semifinals Regional Finals Elite Eight | Chapman Regis Cal State Los Angeles | W 75–56 W 81–78 L 55–57 |
| 1967 | Regional semifinals Regional Finals Elite Eight | Portland State Nevada Southern Illinois State | W 101–73 W 88–71 L 76–77 3OT |
| 1968 | Regional semifinals Regional 3rd-place game | UC Irvine UC Davis | L 69–78 W 79–72 |
NAIA tournament results
The Aztecs have appeared in the NAIA tournament five times. Their combined record is 15–4. They were NAIA national champions in 1941.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | First round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship | Northern State East Texas State Manchester Peru State Southwestern (KS) | W 49–25 W 41–36 W 49–41 W 49–39 L 31–32 |
| 1940 | First round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship | East Central State (OK) Appalachian State Pittsburg State Delta State Tarkio | W 36–35 W 48–46 W 32–30 W 30–28 L 42–52 |
| 1941 | First round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship | Western Montana Culver–Stockton Texas Western West Texas State Murray State | W 46–29 W 46–41 OT W 44–42 W 43–40 W 36–34 |
| 1942 | First round Second Round | Chadron State Bemidji State | W 36–29 L 32–41 |
| 1956 | First round Second Round | Alderson Broaddus Gustavus Adolphus | W 77–64 L 60–69 |
On January 16, 2020, the Aztecs announced that they would be retiring former small forward Kawhi Leonard's number 15 jersey on February 1, 2020. Following Leonard's jersey retirement, some confusion circulated regarding statements that Leonard was the first player in Aztecs history to have his jersey retired, as the school ceremoniously retired former power forward and center Michael Cage's number 44 jersey in 1984.[12]
On December 29, 2023, the Aztecs announced that they would be retiring three more jerseys in a "Return to the Rafters" ceremony on January 17, 2024.[13] The players honored were Milton "Milky" Phelps, Judy Porter, and Michael Cage. This ceremony resolved the prior confusion regarding Cage's jersey retirement.
All-time record vs. current MWC teams
Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current MWC opponents as of the completion of the 2022–2023 season:
| Opponent | Games Played | Won | Lost | Percentage | Streak | First Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 88 | 64 | 24 | .727 | Won 8 | 1973–74 |
| Boise State | 29 | 18 | 11 | .621 | Lost 1 | 1976–77 |
| Colorado State | 94 | 51 | 43 | .543 | Won 4 | 1961–62 |
| Fresno State | 126 | 70 | 56 | .556 | Won 8 | 1939–40 |
| Nevada | 32 | 25 | 7 | .781 | Lost 1 | 1956–57 |
| New Mexico | 93 | 44 | 49 | .473 | Won 1 | 1975–76 |
| San Jose State | 82 | 47 | 35 | .573 | Won 11 | 1936–37 |
| UNLV | 80 | 43 | 37 | .538 | Won 6 | 1965–66 |
| Utah State | 26 | 18 | 9 | .692 | Won 4 | 1962–63 |
| Wyoming | 91 | 50 | 41 | .549 | Won 10 | 1978–79 |
| Totals | 741 | 430 | 311 | .580 |
- Through March 14th, 2023.
Career Leaders (DI Era)
| Career Scoring Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Points | |||
| 2004–07 | Brandon Heath | 2,189 | |||
| 1981–84 | Michael Cage | 1,846 | |||
| 1983–86 | Anthony Watson | 1,735 | |||
| 2009–13 | Chase Tapley | 1,526 | |||
| 2017-21 | Matt Mitchell | 1,471 | |||
| 2015–18 | Trey Kell | 1,403 | |||
| 2012–16 | Winston Shepard | 1,403 | |||
| 2016–19 | Jeremy Hemsley | 1,392 | |||
| 1973–76 | Steve Copp | 1,307 | |||
| 2008–11 | Billy White | 1,294 | |||
| Career Rebound Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Rebounds | |||
| 1981–84 | Michael Cage | 1317 | |||
| 2018-23 | Nathan Mensah | 899 | |||
| 2004–06 | Marcus Slaughter | 775 | |||
| 1973–76 | Steve Copp | 737 | |||
| 1982–85 | Leonard Allen | 724 | |||
| 2009–11 | Kawhi Leonard | 716 | |||
| 1974, 1976–79 | Joel Kramer | 711 | |||
| 2012–16 | Winston Shepard | 708 | |||
| 2000–04 | Aerick Sanders | 686 | |||
| 2013–16 | Skylar Spencer | 652 | |||
| Career Assist Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Assists | |||
| 1978–81 | Tony Gwynn | 590 | |||
| 2006–09 | Richie Williams | 479 | |||
| 1994–97 | Chad Nelson | 412 | |||
| 2004–07 | Brandon Heath | 394 | |||
| 1974–77 | Mark Delsman | 376 | |||
| 1983–86 | Anthony Watson | 356 | |||
| 1982–83 | Keith Smith | 349 | |||
| 2008–11 | D.J. Gay | 344 | |||
| 2001–03 | Deandre Moore | 339 | |||
| 2015–18 | Trey Kell | 320 | |||
| Career Steals Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Steals | |||
| 2006–09 | Richie Williams | 246 | |||
| 2004–07 | Brandon Heath | 217 | |||
| 1983–86 | Anthony Watson | 192 | |||
| 2009–13 | Chase Tapley | 197 | |||
| 1994–97 | Chad Nelson | 175 | |||
| 2007–11 | Billy White | 149 | |||
| 1978–81 | Tony Gwynn | 141 | |||
| 2006–09 | Kyle Spain | 137 | |||
| 1980–83 | Eddie Morris | 131 | |||
| 2017–21 | Matt Mitchell | 129 | |||
| Career Games played Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Games | |||
| 2018-23 | Adam Seiko | 154 | |||
| 2018-23 | Nathan Mensah | 146 | |||
| 2012–16 | Skylar Spencer | 144 | |||
| 2007–11 | D.J. Gay | 140 | |||
| 2012–16 | Winston Shepard | 139 | |||
| 2018-23 | Aguek Arop | 135 | |||
| 2016–19 | Jeremy Hemsley | 134 | |||
| 2015–18 | Trey Kell | 134 | |||
| 2009–13 | Chase Tapley | 134 | |||
| 2007–11 | Billy White | 134 | |||
| Career Minutes played Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Minutes | |||
| 2004–07 | Brandon Heath | 4,275 | |||
| 1981–84 | Michael Cage | 4,262 | |||
| 2007–11 | D.J. Gay | 4,222 | |||
| 2009–13 | Chase Tapley | 3,813 | |||
| 2006–09 | Richie Williams | 3,780 | |||
| 1994–97 | Chad Nelson | 3,692 | |||
| 2015–18 | Trey Kell | 3,640 | |||
| 2016–19 | Jeremy Hemsley | 3,632 | |||
| 2012–16 | Winston Shepard | 3,583 | |||
| 2007–11 | Billy White | 3,532 | |||
| Career Blocks Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Blocks | |||
| 2012–16 | Skylar Spencer | 303 | |||
| 2018–23 | Nathan Mensah | 235 | |||
| 1982–85 | Leonard Allen | 214 | |||
| 2009–11 | Malcolm Thomas | 127 | |||
| 1981–84 | Michael Cage | 118 | |||
| 1991–93 | Joe McNaull | 114 | |||
| 2015–18 | Malik Pope | 113 | |||
| 2000–04 | Aerick Sanders | 105 | |||
| 2007–11 | Billy White | 102 | |||
| 1997-01 | Marcelo Correa | 100 | |||
| Career Wins Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Player | Wins | |||
| 2018–23 | Adam Seiko | 120 | |||
| 2018–23 | Nathan Mensah | 112 | |||
| 2012–16 | Skylar Spencer | 109 | |||
| 2007–11 | D.J. Gay | 105 | |||
| 2012-16 | Winston Shepard | 104 | |||
| 2009–13 | Chase Tapley | 103 | |||
| 2018-23 | Aguek Arop | 102 | |||
| 2007–11 | Billy White | 101 | |||
| 2013–17 | Dakarai Allen | 99 | |||
| 2017–21 | Matt Mitchell | 96 | |||
Single Season Leaders (DI Era)
(*) Lead conference
| Season Scoring Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Player | Points | PPG | ||
| 1983–84 | Michael Cage | 686 | 24.5 | ||
| 2006–07 | Brandon Heath | 637 | 19.3 | ||
| 2013–14 | Xavier Thames | 633 | 17.5 | ||
| 1985–86 | Anthony Watson | 630* | 22.5 | ||
| 2005–06 | Brandon Heath | 607* | 18.4 | ||
| 2019–20 | Malachi Flynn | 564 | 17.6 | ||
| 2012–13 | Jamaal Franklin | 560 | 17.0 | ||
| 2001–02 | Randy Holcomb | 558 | 16.9 | ||
| 2011–12 | Jamaal Franklin | 557 | 17.4 | ||
| 2010–11 | Kawhi Leonard | 557 | 15.5 | ||
| Season Rebound Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Player | Rebounds | RPG | ||
| 2010–11 | Kawhi Leonard | 380* | 10.6 | ||
| 1980–81 | Michael Cage | 355* | 13.1 | ||
| 1982–83 | Michael Cage | 354* | 12.6 | ||
| 1983–84 | Michael Cage | 352* | 12.6 | ||
| 1971–72 | Chris McMurray | 350 | 12.5 | ||
| 2013–14 | Josh Davis | 342 | 10 | ||
| 2009–10 | Kawhi Leonard | 336* | 9.9 | ||
| 2005–06 | Marcus Slaughter | 329* | 11 | ||
| 2012–13 | Jamaal Franklin | 312 | 9.4 | ||
| 2010–11 | Malcom Thomas | 301 | 8.1 | ||
| Season Assists Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Player | Assists | APG | ||
| 1979–80 | Tony Gwynn | 221* | 8.2 | ||
| 1981–82 | Keith Smith | 212* | 7.3 | ||
| 1977–78 | Dean Decker | 176 | 6.3 | ||
| 2003–04 | Wesley Stokes | 175 | 5.8 | ||
| 1984–85 | Creon Dorsey | 171* | 5.5 | ||
| 1980–81 | Tony Gwynn | 164 | 6.3 | ||
| 1975–76 | Ray Leary | 163 | 5.6 | ||
| 2019–20 | Malachi Flynn | 163 | 5.1 | ||
| 1978–79 | Tony Gwynn | 153* | 5.7 | ||
| 2006–07 | Richie Williams | 151 | 4.6 | ||
| Season Steals Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Player | Steals | SPG | ||
| 2008–09 | Richie Williams | 77* | 2.1 | ||
| 1984–85 | Anthony Watson | 74 | 2.4 | ||
| 2006–07 | Richie Williams | 69* | 2.1 | ||
| 1998–99 | Matt Watts | 65* | 2.6 | ||
| 1989–90 | Michael Best | 65 | 2.2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Brandon Heath | 64 | 1.9 | ||
| 2004–05 | Brandon Heath | 63* | 2.2 | ||
| 1995–96 | Raymond King | 63 | 2.2 | ||
| 1984–85 | Creon Dorsey | 63 | 2.0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Lorrenzo Wade | 62 | 1.9 | ||
| Season Blocks Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Player | Blocks | |||
| 2014–15 | Skylar Spencer | 91 | |||
| 2013–14 | Skylar Spencer | 89 | |||
| 1984–85 | Leonard Allen | 82 | |||
| 2010–11 | Malcolm Thomas | 75 | |||
| 2015–16 | Skylar Spencer | 72 | |||
| 2021-22 | Nathan Mensah | 71 | |||
| 2022-23 | Nathan Mensah | 64 | |||
| 2016–17 | Valentine Izundu | 53 | |||
| 2009–10 | Malcolm Thomas | 52* | |||
| 2012–13 | Skylar Spencer | 51 | |||
Single Game Leaders (DI Era)
| Most Points in a game | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Player | Points | Opponent | ||
| February 20, 1986 | Anthony Watson | 54 | USIU | ||
| March 3, 1979 | Kim Goetz | 44 | Utah | ||
| February 9, 1979 | Kim Goetz | 42 | Colorado State | ||
| February 5, 1980 | Eddie Morris | 41 | UNLV | ||
| February 6, 1984 | Michael Cage | 40 | Wyoming | ||
| Most Rebounds in a game | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Player | Rebounds | Opponent | ||
| December 29, 1980 | Michael Cage | 26 | LaSalle | ||
| February 24, 1979 | Steve Malovic | 23 | New Mexico State | ||
| December 21, 1971 | Chris McMurray | 23 | Chapman University | ||
| March 13, 2010 | Kawhi Leonard | 21 | UNLV | ||
| February 6, 1984 | Michael Cage | 21 | Wyoming | ||
| Most Assists in a game | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Player | Assists | Opponent | ||
| February 5, 1980 | Tony Gwynn | 18 | UNLV | ||
| March 7, 1981 | Tony Gwynn | 16 | New Mexico State | ||
| February 14, 1980 | Tony Gwynn | 14 | New Mexico State | ||
| December 11, 1976 | Dean Decker | 14 | UNLV | ||
| February 12, 1985 | Creon Doresy | 13 | LBSU | ||
Several former Aztec men's basketball players have gone on to play in the NBA, play in other professional basketball leagues, or achieve significant notability outside of basketball.
| National Basketball Association (NBA) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Position | NBA Debut | Team (s) | ||
| Joel Kramer | SF | 1979 | Phoenix Suns | ||
| Steve Malovic | PF | 1980 | Washington Bullets, San Diego Clippers, Detroit Pistons | ||
| Rock Lee | C | 1982 | San Diego Clippers | ||
| Michael Cage | PF/C | 1985 | Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets | ||
| Steffond Johnson | PF | 1987 | Los Angeles Clippers | ||
| Randy Holcomb | SF | 2006 | Chicago Bulls | ||
| Kawhi Leonard | SF | 2012 | San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers | ||
| Malcolm Thomas | PF | 2012 | San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers | ||
| Jamaal Franklin | SG | 2014 | Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets | ||
| J. J. O'Brien | SF | 2016 | Utah Jazz | ||
| Zylan Cheatham | PF | 2019 | New Orleans Pelicans | ||
| Jalen McDaniels | SF | 2019 | Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors | ||
| Malachi Flynn | PG | 2020 | Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons | ||
| Jordan Schakel | SG/SF | 2021 | Washington Wizards | ||
| Nathan Mensah | C | 2023 | Charlotte Hornets | ||
| Other sports | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Known for | Team (s) | |||
| Tony Gwynn | Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder | San Diego Padres (MLB) | |||
| Tony Clark | Baseball first baseman and MLBPA union leader | Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres (MLB) | |||
| Media | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Known for | Appearances | |||
| Art Linkletter | Television personality | Host of House Party Host of People are Funny | |||
- "Color Palette". San Diego State Athletics Style Guide (PDF). October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- Fontius, David Howard A History of Basketball at San Diego State University From 1921 to 1971 San Diego, 1976[page needed]
- "NAIA Division I Men's Basketball" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- SDSU add may herald better days Long Beach Press-Telegram Wednesday, December 21, 2011
- "San Diego State Official Athletic Site – San Diego State University". Goaztecs.cstv.com. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- Zeigler, Mark (March 23, 2011). "SDSU tries to crash the party | SanDiegoUnionTribune.com". Signonsandiego.com. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- Forde, Pat (April 2, 2023). "A Buzzer-Beater For Teammates, Family and a Fallen Sister". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- Maffei, John (July 6, 2013). "Sports site No. 3: San Diego Sports Arena". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- "The Reno Report: Sdsu Basketball Re-Enters The Arena". East County Magazine. June 13, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- "San Diego State Official Athletic Site – Men's Basketball". Goaztecs.cstv.com. March 26, 1999. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- "SDSU spent $4.7 million on JAM Center". San Diego Union-Tribune. November 6, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
- "San Diego State to Retire Kawhi's Jersey". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
{{cite magazine}}: Unknown parameter|agency=ignored (help) - "SDSU to Return Three Jerseys to the Rafters at Viejas". SDSU Athletics. December 29, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- "When is a number not retired? Ask SDSU's administration". San Diego Union-Tribune. January 25, 2020.
- "Michael Cage to Join Thunder Broadcast Team". www.nba.com.
- "MBB MG 2019 20 web" (PDF).
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