Los Angeles named the second-best college basketball city in the U.S.

Los Angeles Emerges as a College Basketball Hub

Los Angeles, often celebrated for its sunny weather, beaches, and celebrities, might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of college basketball. However, recent research indicates that it ranks as the second-largest college basketball city in the U.S., just behind Lexington, Kentucky.

This is quite impressive for a city widely recognized for palm trees and the lively Figueroa parade.

The research employed a layered approach, using a weighted formula to assess factors such as long-term success, recent performance, arena capacity, and fan engagement across all Division I programs. The findings highlight L.A.’s longstanding success in college basketball.

Los Angeles boasts several college teams, including USC, Pepperdine, and Loyola Marymount, but UCLA undoubtedly stands at the forefront. The Bruins have an illustrious history, with 11 national championships, 19 Final Four appearances, and 53 NCAA Tournament participations.

Now, a new chapter has begun for the Bruins. Recently, the UCLA women’s basketball team triumphed over South Carolina, clinching their first national title in the NCAA era with a score of 79-51.

“It’s impressive how often these programs find their way back to the national spotlight,” said a representative from Action Network. “UCLA remains significant across different eras.”

Interestingly, four of the top five college basketball cities are located in Kentucky and North Carolina, which may not be surprising to many. Still, Los Angeles stands out as the only representative from California and the West Coast in the top 25.