The 1996–97 Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team represented Stanford University as a member of the Pac-10 Conference during the 1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.

The team was led by head coach Mike Montgomery and played their home games at Maples Pavilion.

Stanford finished in a three-way tie for second in the Pac-10 regular season standings and received an at-large bid to the 1997 NCAA tournament.

The Cardinal would reach the Sweet Sixteen by defeating No.

11 seed Oklahoma in the opening round and Tim Duncan-led No.