San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Basketball Team
The San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team is one of the most successful college basketball teams in the United States. The team, which is based at San Diego State University, has been in existence since 1921 and has a rich history of success both on and off the court. Over the years, the team has produced several standout players who have gone on to play in the NBA, including Kawhi Leonard, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
History
The San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team was founded in 1921 and played its first game against the San Diego YMCA. The team played its home games at Peterson Gymnasium until 1966, when it moved to the newly built Aztec Bowl. In 1997, the team moved again to the modern Viejas Arena, which is located on the San Diego State University campus.
Over the years, the team has had its fair share of ups and downs. However, it has consistently been a strong performer in the Mountain West Conference, winning the conference tournament six times and the regular season championship ten times. The team has also made it to the NCAA tournament numerous times, with its best performance coming in 2011 when it reached the Sweet 16.
Coaching Staff
The current head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team is Brian Dutcher. Dutcher, who took over from legendary coach Steve Fisher in 2017, has continued the team's rich tradition of success. Dutcher was an assistant coach on the team for 18 years before becoming head coach, and his deep knowledge of the team and its players has been invaluable in his tenure as head coach.
Dutcher is assisted by a talented coaching staff that includes associate head coach Dave Velasquez, assistant coaches Tim Shelton and Jay Morris, and director of operations Chris Acker. Together, the coaching staff has helped the team maintain its high level of success and compete at the highest level of college basketball.
Notable Players
Over the years, the San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team has produced several standout players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA. Perhaps the most famous of these players is Kawhi Leonard, who played for the team from 2009 to 2011. Leonard was a two-time Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and helped lead the team to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in 2011. He was then drafted by the Indiana Pacers and eventually traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he won two NBA championships and was named NBA Finals MVP twice. He now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Other notable players who have played for the San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team include Tony Gwynn, who played for the team in the 1970s before going on to become a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, and Michael Cage, who had a successful NBA career that spanned 15 seasons.
Current Season
The San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team is currently in the midst of a successful season. The team has a record of 14-4 and is ranked in the top 25 of the AP Poll. The team is led by a talented group of players that includes Matt Mitchell, who leads the team in scoring, and Jordan Schakel, who is a deadly shooter from beyond the arc.
The team has faced some tough competition this season, including a close loss to the University of Colorado and a hard-fought victory over Brigham Young University. However, the team has shown great resilience and has consistently performed at a high level.
Conclusion
The San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team is a storied program with a rich history of success. Led by the talented coaching staff and a group of skilled players, the team is poised to continue its winning ways for years to come. Whether you're a die-hard Aztec fan or just a casual basketball fan, there's no denying that the San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Team is a force to be reckoned with.