Kristian Ferrell
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team is an American college basketball team that represents Pepperdine University in NCAA Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Waves compete in the West Coast Conference and are currently coached by Ed Schilling. The team has a long history, dating back to the 1938-1939 season, and has seen many successes, including numerous program records broken and appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The Waves have a well-known rivalry with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, known as the Surf and Turf Showdown, and hold the record for most overtime wins in the series.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| Location | Malibu, California |
| Conference | West Coast |
| Nickname | Waves |
| Colours | Blue and Orange |
| Men's Team Season Start | 1938-1939 |
| Men's Regular-Season Conference Titles | 12 |
| Men's Conference Tournament Championships | 3 |
| Men's Appearances in NCAA Tournament | 13 |
| Men's Appearances in NIT Tournament | 6 |
| Men's Appearances in CBI Tournament | 3 |
| Women's Team Season Start | 1975-1976 |
| Women's Regular-Season Conference Titles | 4 |
| Women's Conference Tournament Championships | 3 |
| Women's Appearances in NCAA Tournament | 4 |
| Women's Appearances in WNIT Tournament | 6 |
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What You'll Learn
Pepperdine University's basketball team plays in Division I
Pepperdine University's basketball team plays in NCAA Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team began play in the 1938–1939 season and has since amassed 12 regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament championships. The Waves compete in the West Coast Conference and are coached by Ed Schilling.
The Waves have competed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times, with a combined record of 5–14. They have also qualified for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) three times, winning the 2021 CBI Championship. The team has seen numerous program records broken, including when Colbey Ross became the program's all-time leader in scoring, assists, and several other records.
The Pepperdine Waves women's basketball team began play in the 1975–76 season and has won four conference regular-season titles and three conference tournament championships. The women's team has made four appearances in the NCAA tournament and six in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2019.
Both the men's and women's basketball teams at Pepperdine University play in Division I, showcasing the university's strong commitment to intercollegiate athletics and providing a platform for talented student-athletes to excel in their sport.
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The team's nickname is the Waves
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team is an American college basketball team that represents Pepperdine University in NCAA Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team's nickname is the Waves, a name that was selected by President Batsell Baxter. The choice was made in response to the general consensus among faculty and students that there were too many animal names in college athletics at the time.
The Waves have a notable history in basketball, having competed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times and achieving 3rd place all-time in WCC Tournament wins and championships. The team's first season was in 1938-39, and they reached their first postseason tournament just four years later. Over the years, the Waves have broken numerous program records, including in 2016 when Stacy Davis became the all-time leading scorer, and again in 2017 when Jeremy Major became the all-time leader in assists. Both of these records were later broken by Colbey Ross, who finished his Pepperdine career in 2021 as the program's leader in scoring, assists, and several other categories.
The Waves share a rivalry with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, known as the Surf and Turf Showdown. This rivalry has been played since 1979 and is one of the newer competitions in the West Coast Conference. The Waves hold the record for most overtime wins in this series and previously held the longest winning streak, with 12 consecutive wins from 1987 to 1992.
The Waves have a rich history and have produced many notable athletes, including 38 players drafted or played in the NBA. The team's home arena is the Firestone Fieldhouse, a multi-purpose facility that also hosts volleyball and other athletic events. The Waves' colours are blue and orange, and their mascot has evolved over the years, with the current version of their mascot, Willy the Wave, featuring a larger wave head and usually wearing board shorts.
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The Waves have competed in 13 NCAA Division I tournaments
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team is a Division I basketball team, representing Pepperdine University in the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Waves compete in the West Coast Conference and play their home games at the Firestone Fieldhouse.
The Pepperdine Waves have a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball, having competed in 13 NCAA Division I tournaments. The team has achieved notable success in the West Coast Conference, holding the record for the most overtime wins and previously boasting the longest winning streak in the series with 12 consecutive wins from 1987 to 1992.
The Waves have qualified for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) three times, winning the 2021 CBI Championship. They have also achieved success in individual records, with players like Stacy Davis, Jeremy Major, and Colbey Ross breaking program records.
The Waves have a strong history of producing NBA talent, with 38 former players drafted or having played in the NBA, including Doug Christie and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Johnson. The team's most recent appearances in the NCAA tournament were in 2002 and the 2027 West Regional, where they were awarded host duties.
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team began play in the 1938-1939 season and has since amassed 12 regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament championships. They are currently coached by Ed Schilling, with their most recent player drafted into the NBA being Maxwell Lewis in 2023.
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The Waves have a rivalry with the Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team is an American college basketball team that represents Pepperdine University in NCAA Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Waves compete in the West Coast Conference and have a rivalry with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, referred to as The Surf and Turf Showdown.
The Pepperdine-Gonzaga Rivalry has been played out since 1979 and is one of the newer rivalries in the West Coast Conference. The Waves hold the record for the most overtime wins in the series and previously boasted the longest winning streak, winning 12 games in a row from 1987 to 1992. The rivalry has seen some notable results over the years, including a 107-55 victory for Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center in 2025, and a 52-point win for the Bulldogs in the same year.
The Waves have also enjoyed success against their rivals, with a sweep of the Gonzaga team in the 1991-92 season, contributing to a 27-game regular-season winning streak. The 1991-92 Waves squad was only the second WCC team to achieve a perfect 14-0 league record and win the tournament title in the same season. In the 2001-02 season, Pepperdine tied with Gonzaga for the WCC regular-season title, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The rivalry between the Waves and the Bulldogs is a well-established part of West Coast Conference basketball history, with both teams experiencing victories and defeats over the years. The Waves have qualified for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times, with a combined record of 5-14. They have also achieved success in other tournaments, winning the 2021 College Basketball Invitational and achieving a record-setting run of 38 West Coast Conference wins in a row from 1991 to 1993, known as "The Streak".
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The Waves have had many players drafted into the NBA
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team has a rich history in the sport, competing in the West Coast Conference (WCC). The Waves have enjoyed success over the years, with multiple appearances in the NCAA Tournament and a passionate fan base that supports them. But one of the most impressive aspects of Pepperdine basketball is its presence in the NBA. The Waves have had a notable impact on the league, with several players drafted and going on to successful careers.
The program has produced 13 NBA draft picks throughout its history, a testament to the talent that has come through the ranks. Some of the most famous names to have worn a Pepperdine jersey include Doug Christie, who played 15 seasons in the NBA and was a first-round pick in 1992, and Alex Acker, who, after being selected in 2005, played for three NBA teams and had a successful career in Europe. Other notable Waves include Craig Davis, chosen in the second round of the 1973 draft, who played four seasons in the league, and Dana Jones, who was drafted in 1977 and played for three NBA teams.
More recently, the Waves have continued to make their presence felt in the NBA. In 2017, Jeremy Pargo, who played for Pepperdine from 2005 to 2009, was drafted by the Detroit Pistons and became the first Wave to play in the NBA since 2006. He was soon joined by fellow alum Lamond Murray Jr., who signed with the Sacramento Kings in 2018, continuing a family legacy as his father, Lamond Murray, was also an NBA player. Murray Jr. spent two seasons with the Kings before taking his talents to the G League and overseas.
Additionally, the Waves have had players make an impact in the NBA beyond just drafting. For instance, Marko Juric, who played for Pepperdine from 2013 to 2017, became the first Wave to win an NBA championship when he joined the Golden State Warriors' scouting department in 2018, contributing to their back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. These achievements showcase the diverse ways in which Pepperdine alumni are making their mark on the league.
The Waves' success in producing NBA talent is a testament to the program's ability to develop and showcase its players' skills. The list of draftees and NBA contributors shows that Pepperdine basketball has a bright future and a proud history. With a strong focus on player development and a winning culture, the Waves will undoubtedly continue to make waves in the NBA for years to come.
As for the women's team, they have also experienced success with several players going on to play professionally, including Yasemin Kimyacioglu, who played in the Turkish Women's Basketball League, and Teani White, who played professionally in Germany. The women's program continues to develop talented players and foster a competitive spirit, ensuring that Pepperdine basketball remains a force to be reckoned with on both the men's and women's sides.
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Frequently asked questions
Pepperdine University sponsors both men's and women's NCAA Division I college basketball teams.
The Pepperdine Waves compete in the West Coast Conference.
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team has competed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times and has a combined record of 5-14.
Yes, Pepperdine has been awarded host duties for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional six times since 2013, most recently in 2027.
