AthleticScholar Logo
Colleges

Best Men's Basketball colleges in California

Explore colleges in California recruiting Men's Basketball athletes, most popular programs first. Open any school to see its division, costs and coaches, or let our basketball recruiting platform email every coach for you.

Team
Sport
State (optional)
Division (optional)
Overview

Men's Basketball colleges in California

How the programs break down by division, conference, cost and size. Updated October 2026.

Programs
93
Coaches recruiting
464
  • 26Division I
  • 22Division II
  • 13Division III
  • 9NAIA
  • 4Junior college

California has 93 colleges with Men's Basketball programs. Of those, 26 compete in NCAA Division I, 22 in NCAA Division II, 13 in NCAA Division III, 9 in the NAIA and 4 at the junior college level. The most popular programs are University of Southern California, Stanford University and University of California, Los Angeles. Their head coaches are Eric Musselman at University of Southern California, Kyle Smith at Stanford University and Mick Cronin at University of California, Los Angeles. 12 schools compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the most common conference.

All programs

Every Men's Basketball program in California

Open any school to see its coaches, costs and admissions.

Division I · 26

University of Southern California logoUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Big Ten · Coach Eric MusselmanStanford University logoStanford UniversityStanford · Atlantic Coast · Coach Kyle SmithUniversity of California, Los Angeles logoUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Big Ten · Coach Mick CroninUniversity of California, Berkeley logoUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · Atlantic Coast · Coach Mark Madsen

Division II · 22

Westmont College logoWestmont CollegeSanta Barbara · Pacific West · Coach Justin LeslieCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills logoCalifornia State University, Dominguez HillsCarson · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Coach Steve BeckerCalifornia State University, Chico logoCalifornia State University, ChicoChico · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Coach Mike BibbyConcordia University, Irvine logoConcordia University, IrvineIrvine · Pacific West · Coach Scott Clark

Division III · 13

California Lutheran University logoCalifornia Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic · Coach Russell WhitePomona College logoPomona CollegeClaremont · Southern California Intercollegiate AthleticClaremont McKenna College logoClaremont McKenna CollegeClaremont · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic · Coach Ken ScalmaniniUniversity of California, Santa Cruz logoUniversity of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz · Division III Independents · Coach Joe Pasternack

Other associations · 19

San Diego Miramar College logoSan Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego · Coach Nick GehlerMt. San Antonio College logoMt. San Antonio CollegeWalnut · California Community College Athletic Association · Coach Michael FenisonSanta Rosa Junior College logoSanta Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa · Nor-Cal · Coach Craig McMillanChabot College logoChabot CollegeHayward · California Community College Athletic Association · Coach Marquis Glenn
Questions

Questions about Men's Basketball colleges in California

Quick answers about the programs and how to reach their coaches.

How many colleges in California have Men's Basketball?

93 colleges in California have Men's Basketball programs: 26 Division I, 22 Division II, 13 Division III, 9 NAIA and 4 Junior college.

Which colleges in California have D1 Men's Basketball?

26 colleges in California compete in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball: California Baptist University, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California State University, Bakersfield, California State University, Fresno, California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Long Beach, California State University, Northridge, California State University, Sacramento and 18 more.

Which colleges in California have D2 Men's Basketball?

22 colleges in California compete in NCAA Division II Men's Basketball: Academy of Art University, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California State University, Chico, California State University, Dominguez Hills, California State University, East Bay and 14 more.

Which colleges in California have D3 Men's Basketball?

13 colleges in California compete in NCAA Division III Men's Basketball: California Institute of Technology, California Lutheran University, Chapman University, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Occidental College, Pitzer College, Pomona College and 5 more.

Which colleges in California have NAIA Men's Basketball?

9 colleges in California compete in NAIA Men's Basketball: California State University Maritime Academy, Hope International University, La Sierra University, Life Pacific University, Pacific Union College, Simpson University, The Master's University, University of California, Merced and 1 more.

Which colleges in California have JUCO Men's Basketball?

4 colleges in California compete in NJCAA junior college Men's Basketball: Barstow Community College, Cypress College, Ohlone College and Saddleback College.

What is the most affordable college in California with Men's Basketball?

Imperial Valley College has the lowest average net price at $1,890 a year after grants and scholarships.

What conference do most Men's Basketball programs in California compete in?

The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has the most Men's Basketball programs in California.

Who are the Men's Basketball head coaches in California?

Eric Musselman (University of Southern California), Kyle Smith (Stanford University), Mick Cronin (University of California, Los Angeles), Mark Madsen (University of California, Berkeley), Brian Dutcher (San Diego State University), Mike DeGeorge (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo), Mike Bibby (California State University, Sacramento) and Andy Newman (California State University, Northridge).

How do I contact Men's Basketball coaches in California?

There are 464 coaches recruiting Men's Basketball in California. Start a free 7-day AthleticScholar trial to see who recruits your position and send personal messages from your own Gmail, with follow-ups until they reply.

By division

Men's Basketball colleges by division in California

The most popular programs at each level, with links to the full lists.

JUCO Men's Basketball colleges in California

4 schools in California compete in NJCAA junior college.