California Basketball Teams: Start Your Dream Job in the NBA, College, & Beyond

If you want to work in basketball, California is one of the best places to start. Between its NBA franchises, WNBA teams, G League affiliates, and competitive college and high school programs, California basketball teams create job openings at every level, not just the pros.

The challenge is knowing where to look. Team front offices, athletic departments, and league affiliates all hire differently, and the roles range from coaching and scouting to marketing, operations, and sales. This guide breaks down California’s basketball landscape level by level and points you toward where the jobs actually are.

How Many Basketball Teams Does California Have?

California is home to more basketball teams than almost any other state in the country, spanning five different levels of competition:

NBA

California is home to 4 NBA teams, giving basketball fans the chance to follow some of the league’s most successful and recognizable franchises.

• Los Angeles Lakers 
• Los Angeles Clippers 
• Golden State Warriors 
• Sacramento Kings

WNBA

California has two WNBA teams that showcase the continued growth of women’s professional basketball and create career opportunities throughout the sport.

• Los Angeles Sparks
• Golden State Valkyries

NBA G League

California’s four NBA G League teams serve as developmental affiliates, helping players, coaches, and front-office staff prepare for opportunities at the NBA level.

• South Bay Lakers
• Santa Cruz Warrior 
• San Diego Clippers
• Stockton Kings

NCAA Division I

California features some of the nation’s top college basketball programs, with schools competing at the highest levels while developing future professional players and sports industry leaders.

• Featured programs, including UCLA, USC, Stanford, and more

High School Basketball

California is home to elite high school basketball programs that regularly produce top recruits and future college and professional stars.

• Top programs, including Mater Dei, Sierra Canyon, and Bishop O’Dowd

That means California is the only state with four NBA franchises, and it’s one of only a handful of states with a full pipeline from high school gyms to the professional ranks. Whether you’re a fan tracking the standings or a job seeker trying to figure out where to break in, that density of teams also means a density of open roles across scouting, marketing, coaching, and player health.

NBA Teams in California

The world of NBA teams in California unveils a rich history of basketball excellence, coupled with a thriving present-day scenario. The Golden State hosts a quartet of NBA teams, each with its own unique narrative and contribution to the game.

Los Angeles Lakers

• Founded: 1947 (originally the Minneapolis Lakers)
• Championships: 17
• Arena: Crypto.com Arena
• Current head coach: JJ Redick

The Los Angeles Lakers were founded in the year 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers before relocating to Los Angeles in 1960. The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, tied for the most in league history, and have been home to some of basketball’s biggest stars, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.

The Lakers’ rivalry with the Boston Celtics has produced some of the NBA’s most memorable moments, especially during the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era in the 1980s. More recently, LeBron James and Anthony Davis helped bring the franchise its 17th championship with a title in 2020.. Ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, the Lakers made headlines by acquiring Luka Dončić in a trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, ushering in a new era under head coach JJ Redick.

Los Angeles Clippers

• Founded: 1970 (originally the Buffalo Braves)
• Championships: 0 (Western Conference Finals appearance, 2020-21)
• Arena: Intuit Dome
• Current head coach: Tyronn Lue

The Los Angeles Clippers started out in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, moving to San Diego in 1978 before landing in Los Angeles in 1984. For years they lived in the Lakers’ shadow, until the “Lob City” era gave the franchise its first real spark, with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin leading the charge in the early 2010s.

Things shifted again when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George arrived in 2019, bringing real championship hopes with them. Under head coach Tyronn Lue, the Clippers made their first trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2021. These days they call Intuit Dome in Inglewood home, with franchise legends like Bob McAdoo, Danny Manning, and Leonard woven into the team’s history.

Golden State Warriors

• Founded: 1946 (originally the Philadelphia Warriors)
• Championships: 7
• Arena: Chase Center
• Current head coach: Steve Kerr

The Golden State Warriors got their start in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, before taking the Golden State name in 1971. Championships in 1956 and 1975 marked their early years, but things really took off during the Steve Kerr era. With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant leading the way, the team captured NBA titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, and along the way set a record 73-9 regular season in 2015-16.

Steve Kerr remains head coach through 2026, guiding the franchise into its next chapter around Curry and Green. They play their home games at Chase Center in San Francisco, one of the NBA’s premier arenas.

Sacramento Kings

• Founded: 1923 (originally the Rochester Seagrams)
• Championships: 1 (1951, as the Rochester Royals)
• Arena: Golden 1 Center
• Current head coach: Doug Christie

The Sacramento Kings are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises, tracing their roots to 1923 as the Rochester Royals before relocating several times and settling in Sacramento in 1985. They won its only NBA championship in 1951 and was home to Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson during the 1960s.

More recently, the Kings have entered a new chapter after trading De’Aaron Fox during the 2024-25 season. Head coach Doug Christie now leads the team’s rebuild, while Golden 1 Center has become one of the league’s most modern and fan-friendly arenas

WNBA Team in California

Women’s basketball in California continues to grow in California with the Los Angeles Sparks and Golden State Valkyries. Along with exciting competition, both organizations offer career opportunities in coaching, business operations, marketing, media, and more.

Los Angeles Sparks

• Founded: 1996
• Championships: 3 (2001, 2002, 2016)
• Arena: Crypto.com Arena
• Current head coach: Lynne Roberts

The Los Angeles Sparks, founded in 1996, are one of the WNBA’s original eight teams and have won three league championships. Franchise legends include Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, and Nneka Ogwumike, the 2016 WNBA MVP.

Lynne Roberts has served as head coach since 2025, leading one of the WNBA’s most recognizable franchises. The Los Angeles market continues to be a major hub for careers in marketing, broadcasting, and community relations.

Golden State Valkyries

• Founded: 2025
• Championships: 0
• Arena: Chase Center
• Current head coach: Natalie Nakase

The Golden State Valkyries joined the WNBA as an expansion team in 2025, bringing the league to the Bay Area for the first time. Playing out of Chase Center in San Francisco, the team wasted no time building one of the WNBA’s biggest fan bases, opening up new professional basketball opportunities across Northern California.

Led by head coach Natalie Nakase, the franchise is building its identity through the WNBA Draft, expansion draft, and player development. As one of the league’s newest organizations, the Valkyries also offer growing career opportunities in coaching, business operations, marketing, media, and community engagement.

G League Teams in California

Looking at California’s G League teams offers a glimpse into where basketball talent gets built. These teams play a key role in player development, bridging the gap between college and the pros, and they’re one of the more accessible entry points into a full-time career in professional sports.

South Bay Lakers

• Affiliate: Los Angeles Lakers
• Founded: 2006 (as the Los Angeles D-Fenders)
• Home venue: UCLA Health Training Center, El Segundo

The South Bay Lakers have been part of the G League since 2006, taking home the Western Conference title in 2017-18 along the way. Over the years, the team has helped develop plenty of NBA talent through call-ups and two-way deals with the parent Lakers. Beginning with the 2026-27 season, the franchise will relocate and rebrand as the Coachella Valley Lakers.

Santa Cruz Warriors

• Affiliate: Golden State Warriors
• Founded: 2012
• Home venue: Kaiser Permanente Arena
• Current head coach: Lainn Wilson

The Santa Cruz Warriors have been the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate since 2012 and won the league championship in 2014-15. Notable alumni include Quinn Cook and Damian Jones. Head coach Lainn Wilson continues the franchise’s strong pipeline of player development and NBA call-ups.

San Diego Clippers

• Affiliate: Los Angeles Clippers
• Founded: 2017 (as the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario)
• Home venue: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside
• Current head coach: Paul Hewitt

The San Diego Clippers began play in 2017 as the Agua Caliente Clippers, later became the Ontario Clippers, and relocated to Oceanside. Notable alumni include Johnathan Motley and Amir Coffey. Led by head coach Paul Hewitt, the franchise continues to serve as the Los Angeles Clippers’ primary player development team.

Stockton Kings

• Affiliate: Sacramento Kings
• Founded: 2018 (relocated from Reno)
• Arena: Adventist Health Arena
• Current head coach: Will Scott

The Stockton Kings became the Sacramento Kings’ G League affiliate in 2018, moving over from Reno. They won the 2024-25 NBA G League championship, their first title. Troy Williams and Matt Jones are among the notable names to come through the program, which continues to play a big role in developing talent for Sacramento.

College Basketball Teams in California

Navigating through the realm of California college basketball teams reveals a vibrant landscape filled with historic rivalries and storied programs. California’s diverse array of college teams showcases a blend of athletic prowess and academic excellence, and the state’s college sports departments are one of the largest employers in California’s basketball world.

UCLA Bruins

Established in 1919, the UCLA Bruins are one of the most successful programs in college basketball history. Under legendary coach John Wooden, UCLA won 10 NCAA championships in 12 seasons, seven of them back-to-back from 1967 to 1973. The program turned out legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, and remains a perennial national contender to this day.

USC Trojans

Established in 1906, USC has reached the NCAA Tournament 21 times, including two Final Four runs in 1940 and 1954. Paul Westphal, Gus Williams, and DeMar DeRozan all played for the Trojans before their NBA careers, and the program remains one of the state’s most consistent producers of pro talent.

Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal have competed since 1913 and combine basketball success with the university’s academic reputation. Stanford won the 1942 NCAA championship and reached the Final Four in 1998. Notable alumni include Hall of Famer George Yardley and NBA stars Brook and Robin Lopez.

San Diego State Aztecs

The San Diego State Aztecs have competed since 1921 and have become one of California’s top college basketball programs. They have made numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in 2011, while Viejas Arena is known for its passionate home-court atmosphere.

Top High School Basketball Teams in California

Exploring the top high school basketball teams in California provides a glimpse into the early stages of basketball excellence, where young athletes begin carving their paths toward notable careers in the sport and where much of the state’s scouting and player development talent gets its start.

Mater Dei High School Basketball Program

Mater Dei High School has one of California’s premier basketball programs, winning 11 state championships since 1987. The school has developed numerous college and NBA players, including LeRon Ellis and Stanley Johnson, with longtime coach Gary McKnight leading much of the program’s success.

Sierra Canyon School Basketball Program

Sierra Canyon School has become one of the nation’s top high school basketball programs, winning three straight CIF State Championships from 2018 to 2020. The school has produced NBA talent like Marvin Bagley III, while head coach Andre Chevalier has helped elevate the program to national prominence.

Bishop O’Dowd High School Basketball Program

Bishop O’Dowd High School is one of Northern California’s top basketball programs, winning multiple state championships, including the 2015 title. The school has produced NBA player Ivan Rabb and continues to compete at a high level under head coach Lou Richie.

The Broad Spectrum of Careers in California Basketball

California’s basketball scene is rich with career opportunities that go well beyond playing the game. From scouting the next prodigy to crafting compelling brand narratives, the state’s basketball ecosystem is a dynamic field of potential for job seekers at every level.

Scouting and Talent Identification

California is one of the country’s top destinations for basketball scouting, giving scout talent evaluators access to elite prospects at every level.

• Evaluate talent: Analyze players’ skills, athleticism, and long-term potential.
• Attend key events: Scout high school and college showcases, such as the Pangos All-American Camp.
• Use advanced analysis: Combine game film, live evaluations, and analytics to assess prospects.
• Build industry connections: Develop relationships with coaches, players, and front office personnel.

Marketing and Branding

Sports marketing professionals help teams grow their fan base and strengthen their brand through creative campaigns and community engagement.

• Marketing campaigns: Promote teams, events, and ticket sales across social channels.
• Partnerships: Land sponsorships and team up with local businesses and national brands for bigger reach.
• Community outreach: Plan events and programs that connect teams with fans and the community.

California’s large sports market offers a wide range of opportunities for aspiring marketers. Explore the latest openings on the Marketing Jobs page.

Physical Training and Health Management

Sports performance professionals play a key role in helping athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries, and perform at a high level throughout the sports season.

• Training programs: Build strength, conditioning, and overall athletic performance.
• Injury prevention: Keep an eye on player health to catch and reduce risks early.
• Recovery: Guide athletes through rehab and return-to-play plans.
• Nutrition and wellness: Put together plans that support performance and long-term health.

California’s professional, college, and G League teams offer strong opportunities for careers in sports performance and athlete care.

Coaching and Development

Coaches play a role in shaping athletes, from developing their skills to building team culture and preparing them for what comes next, both on and off the court.

• Game strategy: Plan practices, build game plans, and support players through the season.
• Coaching: Help players grow their skills, confidence, and leadership, both on the court and off.
• Film and performance: Break down game film and adjust the approach as the season unfolds.
• Lead the team: Foster a positive team culture while guiding players through practices and competition.

From youth leagues to the NBA, California offers coaching opportunities at every level. Explore the latest openings on the Coaching Jobs page.

Find California Basketball Team Jobs Today

California’s basketball scene offers more than exciting games. From college programs to NBA organizations, the state provides opportunities for coaches, trainers, marketers, analysts, and many other professionals looking to build a career in the sport.

Explore these sports job opportunities further by delving into the Jobs In Sports domain. Create a free JobsInSports account to start exploring basketball jobs in California. Upgrade to a paid membership for additional tools, resources, and job alerts designed to help you stand out during your search.