The Long Beach State Beach men's basketball team represents California State University, Long Beach, in Long Beach, California. The school's team competes in the Big West Conference. Because they won the 2024 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament, the team received an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament; the last time Long Beach State competed in this tournament was 2012. The Beach is currently coached by Chris Acker. Long Beach State officially changed their nickname with the NCAA to "Beach" from "49ers" prior to the 2019–20 season.
In the 2006–07 season, the 49ers finished with a 24–8 (12–2) record, the Big West conference championship, and the school's first trip to the NCAA tournament in 12 years. Star guard Aaron Nixon was named Big West player of the year, as well as being selected as an AP Honorable Mention All-American.
In January, 1974, Long Beach State was placed on indefinite probation for not less than three years by the NCAA because of basketball and football violations. The NCAA cited the programs for 26 violations of constitution and by-laws, saying they were among the most serious it had ever considered. The 49ers basketball team ranked ninth in the country at the time.
In 2008, the 49ers began a three-year probation term, vacated 18 victories from their 2005–2006 season, and reduced scholarships and recruiting in order to keep eligibility for postseason play.
Postseason results
NCAA Division I Long Beach State has appeared in ten,NCAA tournaments. Their combined record is 7–11. Three of the appearances were later being vacated by the NCAA
1970 First RoundSweet SixteenRegional third place Game Weber StateUCLASanta Clara W 93–73L 65–88L 86–89 1971 First RoundSweet SixteenElite Eight Weber StatePacificUCLA W 77–68W 78–65L 55–57 1972 First RoundSweet SixteenElite Eight BYUSan FranciscoUCLA W 95–90OTW 75–55L 57–73 1973 First RoundSweet SixteenRegional third place Game Weber StateSan FranciscoArizona State W 88–75L 67–77W 84–80 1977 First Round Idaho State L 72–83 1993 11 First Round (6) Illinois L 72–75 1995 13 First Round (4) Utah L 64–76 2007 12 First Round (5) Tennessee L 86–121 2012 12 First Round (5) New Mexico L 68–75 2024 15 First Round (2) Arizona L 65–85
NCAA Division II The 49ers appeared in one NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament. Their combined record was 1–1.
1961 Regional SemifinalsSweet Sixteen ChapmanUC Santa Barbara W 70–66L 54–58
NIT results Long Beach State has appeared in nine National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 2–9.
1980 First RoundSecond Round PepperdineUNLV W 104–87L 81–90 1988 First Round Stanford L 77–80 1990 First RoundSecond Round Arizona StateHawaii W 86–71L 79–84 1992 First Round TCU L 61–73 2000 First Round California L 66–70 2011 First Round Washington State L 74–85 2013 First Round Baylor L 66–112 2016 First Round Washington L 102–107 2022 First Round BYU L 72–93
Beach in the NBA
The following former Long Beach State players have played professionally for the National Basketball Association: PositionNameHeightWeight (lbs.)HometownDraft yearPickDraft TeamMost Recent TeamYears activeGJames Cotton6'5"Bellflower, California199732ndSeattle SuperSonicsChicago Bulls1997–1999FCraig Dykema6'8"190Lakewood, California198166thPhoenix SunsPhoenix Suns1981–1982SFJames Ennis III6'6"215Ventura, California201350thAtlanta HawksDenver Nuggets2015–2022FLeonard Gray6'8"240Kansas City, Kansas197426thSeattle SuperSonicsWashington Bullets1974–1977FBob Gross6'6"200San Pedro, California197525thPortland Trail BlazersSan Diego Clippers1975–1983GLucious Harris6'5"190Los Angeles199328thDallas MavericksCleveland Cavaliers1993–2007FJuaquin Hawkins6'7"205Lynwood, California1996UDLos Angeles LakersHouston Rockets1996–2003GCraig Hodges6'2"190Park Forest, Illinois198248thSan Diego ClippersChicago Bulls1982–1992G/FGlenn McDonald6'6"190Los Angeles197417thBoston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks1974–1977FEric McWilliams6'8"200Denver197237thHouston RocketsHouston Rockets1972–1973F/CCliff Pondexter6'9"233Fresno, California197416thChicago BullsChicago Bulls1974–1978G/FEd Ratleff6'6"195Columbus, Ohio19736thHouston RocketsHouston Rockets1973–1978FSam Robinson6'7"190Los Angeles197091stSeattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonics1970–1972FBryon Russell6'7"225San Bernardino, California199345thUtah JazzDenver Nuggets1993–2006FChuck Terry6'6"215Long Beach, California197229thMilwaukee BucksNew York Nets1972–1977F/CGeorge Trapp6'8"205Highland Park, Michigan19715thAtlanta HawksDetroit Pistons1971–1976GCasper Ware5'10"175Cerritos, California2012UDPhiladelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers2014FMichael Wiley6'9"200Long Beach, California198039thSan Antonio SpursSan Diego Clippers1980–1982GMorlon Wiley6'4"185Long Beach, California198846thDallas MavericksAtlanta Hawks1988–1995GRickey Williams6'1"175Buffalo, New York1978190thNew Orleans JazzUtah Jazz1982–1983
Retired numbers
Four numbers have been retired in Long Beach State basketball history: Long Beach State Beach retired numbers No.PlayerPositionCareerNo. ret. Ref.20 Glenn McDonald SF 1971–1974 2018 Long Beach State basketball alumnus Glenn McDonald has his jersey retired By HUNTER LEE at Press Telegram - November 10, 201830 Lucious Harris SG 1989–1993 2007 Long Beach State All-Time Honors at Basketball Record Book, p. 91 (archived)32 Bryon Russell SF 1990–1993 2010 42 Ed Ratleff SG/SF 1970–1973 1991
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