Corsairs Men’s Basketball Team Ends Season in Defeat

Michael Kalu (cq) (left center) of the Santa Monica College Corsairs blocks a shot from Enzo Kwamegne (center) (cq) of the West Los Angeles College (WLAC) Wildcats, at WLAC in Culver City, Calif. The Wildcats defeated the Corsairs in the final game of the season, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 (Juliana Frame | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair basketball player Jerrell McCready(L) during the SMC men’s basketball game against West LA College at West LA College Gym, Culver City, Calif.,Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. The Corsair lost 81-75. (Masie Najafi | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair basketball player Jerrell McCready(L) during the SMC men’s basketball game against West LA College at West LA College Gym, Culver City, Calif., Friday,Feb. 20, 2026. The Corsair lost 81-75. (Masie Najafi | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair basketball player Michael Kalu(L) during the SMC men’s basketball game against West LA College at West LA College Gym, Culver City, Calif., Feb. 21, 2026. The Corsair lost 81-75. (Masie Najafi | The Corsair)

The Santa Monica College Corsairs men’s basketball team finished off the season Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 with a close defeat to the West Los Angeles College Wildcats at Wildcat Gym in Culver City, Calif. Throughout the game, the Wildcats remained ahead, and while the Corsairs made a valiant effort towards the end, they were not able to catch up.

Corsairs Guard Jerrell McCready was the Corsairs’ top scorer with 30 points, while WLAC guard Malachi Knight was the top scorer for the Wildcats with 21 points, 2 rebounds, and a field goal percentage of 60%. 

McCready, a sophomore, took a hard fall in the second half but was able to return to play. This game left the Corsairs with a losing record of 4-24, last in their conference, for the 2025-26 season. 

Although it was a tough season,  McCready successfully made the First Team All-Conference. He averaged 23 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Corsairs 6 '6 Ka’Mari Johnson received an All-Conference Honorable Mention, ending the season with 8.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.  

Two key players for the Corsairs - Khafre Garrett-Mills and Raymond Watts, both ended their sophomore seasons early due to injuries. Garrett-Mills has an ACL injury and Watts ruptured his plantar fascia in his foot.  

Head coach Malik Bray ended the season saying, “We’ll be back next year, believe that!”