By Amanda Scurlock for Los Angeles Sentinel
Originally published April 2, 2026
Cal State Dominguez Hills grad student guard David Cheatom averaged 12.3 points and 4.7 rebounds for the Toros this season. His efforts led the CSUDH men’s basketball team to a 22-9 overall record.
“A lot of people have to work, a lot of jobs they’re not happy doing,” Cheatom said. “Us being able to get together everyday and have fun and do something we love, just amazing. I give all glory to God for it.”
Cheatom was the team captain of the Toros this season; he noted how he became more vocal with the team during the 2024-2025 season.
“The guys look up to me as the example, being a part of last year’s success, and I just embrace the role,” he said. “If I’m having a game or I’m not shooting well, I always got to have my voice, it’s trying to impact the team in different ways.”
Cheatom, a native of Los Angeles, played a key role in the Toros reaching the Division II NCAA championship game during the 2024-2025 season. During that season, he was the third leading scorer, contributing 11.3 points per game.
Throughout the NCAA tournament, Cheatom averaged 17 points per game.
“That group of guys that graduated last year, I came into college with,” Cheatom said. “We enjoyed every moment we had together every day.”
His efforts on the court would place Cheatom on the Elite Eight All-Tournament Team and the West Region All-Tournament Team. He also earned an All-CCAA Honorable Mention.
“It’s definitely a good village to be in my same city … to have my family locally, to be able to come to games,” Cheatom said. “A lot of the recognition I got from my hometown, as far as my high school, people that know about me in the city, it was good.”
Prior to attending Dominguez Hills, Cheatom competed for University High School and became the all-time leading scorer of the Wildcats boy’s basketball team.
Through the years, Cheatom learned to value his education. As a team captain, he wanted to show his younger teammates the importance of balancing academics with athletics.
“I’m a 4.0 student now and I really put in the time and effort to thrive in the classroom,” Cheatom said. “Being a good guy on the floor … and also be an example in the classroom is something that I look to do, especially for my siblings that I have at home.”
