Idaho Stags
More Than a Team. A Program Built for Your Growth.
The Idaho Stags are more than just a team — we're a program for serious players in Idaho's Treasure Valley to refine their game, compete at a high level, and prepare for future basketball success.
2026 Season Tryouts
Three sessions on August 8 — find your player's time.
8
Years
75+
Teams Fielded
350+
Players Developed
3–12
Grades, Boys & Girls
The Stags Pillars
2026 Season Tryouts
August 8, 2026 · Skyview High School · 2026 Season · October–December
Boys, 3rd–6th grade
Girls, 3rd–5th grade
Boys 7th–8th grade / Girls 6th–8th grade
Tryout fee: $20. Season fees are invoiced after tryouts, only for players who make a team.
What to Expect
Club sports offer a higher level of competition and development than recreational leagues. Here's what makes us different.
Focused Development
Our coaches focus on skill development, not just winning games. Every practice is designed to make your athlete better.
Competitive Play
Travel teams compete against top programs regionally and nationally. Recreation teams offer local, skill-matched competition.
Team Culture
More than just teammates — your athlete will build lasting friendships and learn valuable life skills like leadership and teamwork.
See Our Players in Action
Training, competing, and building lifelong memories
A Program Built for Every Stage
A clear path of development at every age and stage
Grades 3–5
Fundamentals first — ball handling, footwork, passing, and love of the game.
Grades 6–8
Competitive readiness — basketball IQ, team concepts, strength & conditioning.
High School
Advanced training and high-level competition for players pushing toward the next level. High school teams (grades 9–12) play a separate season — tryouts are announced separately.
About the Idaho Stags
The Idaho Stags are a premier basketball club in Idaho's Treasure Valley, dedicated to developing competitive players and teams. We pair a sound team-basketball philosophy with elite individual skill development, challenging every player to reach their full potential — as an athlete and as a person.
Our approach is rooted in principles founder Ricky Bower learned playing for Dick Bennett at Wisconsin, where he was recruited by Tony Bennett — now the head coach at Virginia. That lineage uniquely positions the Stags to prepare Treasure Valley youth for the next level.
We place a special emphasis on shooting. Every player gets a dedicated weekly shooting workout on top of two team practices, led by Bower, who set multiple three-point shooting records in college.
Through a partnership with Mettle Sports, players also train speed and agility with certified trainers in the same facility where the team practices.
Founded in 2017, the club has grown quickly and now fields competitive and developmental teams for grades 3–12 across the Treasure Valley. High school teams (grades 9–12) play a separate season, currently in progress.
Programs Coming Soon
Check back soon for available programs
Meet the Team Behind Your Athlete's Growth
Dedicated to developing the next generation of players
Ricky Bower
Idaho native and founder of the Idaho Stags. A Skyview High School charter-class product and Adidas Mr. Basketball for the State of Idaho, Ricky played Division I basketball at Ricks College, Wisconsin, and BYU, and was inducted into the Skyview Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
About the Founder
Ricky grew up in the Treasure Valley and was part of Skyview High School's charter class. As a senior he was named Adidas Mr. Basketball for the State of Idaho, leading the state in both scoring and assists. He still holds the 6A Southern Idaho Conference scoring record at 26.3 points per game.
He went on to play collegiately for the Ricks College Vikings, the Wisconsin Badgers, and the BYU Cougars. At Ricks College, his team won Region 18 and placed 8th in the nation; Ricky was named the Region 18 tournament MVP and earned national all-tournament honors alongside Shawn Marion and Steve Francis.
At Wisconsin, his team was ranked in the Top 25 all season, and Ricky was named ESPN Player of the Game against Temple and Ohio State. His 2002–03 BYU team were regular-season co-champions of the Mountain West and earned an NCAA tournament appearance against UConn.
In 2011, Ricky was inducted into the Skyview Athletics Hall of Fame.
Career Highlights
Idaho Stags Basketball — Program Facts
Idaho Stags Basketball is a youth club basketball program in Nampa, Idaho, serving boys and girls in grades 3–8 across the Treasure Valley.
Who are the Idaho Stags?
The Idaho Stags are a Treasure Valley youth basketball club founded by Ricky Bower, offering competitive and developmental teams for boys and girls in grades 3–8. The program's motto is “More Than a Team. A Program Built for Your Growth.”
When are Idaho Stags 2026 tryouts?
Idaho Stags 2026 tryouts are on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Skyview High School in Nampa, Idaho. Boys in grades 3–6 try out from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, girls in grades 3–5 from 12:15 to 1:00 PM, and boys grades 7–8 with girls grades 6–8 from 1:15 to 2:45 PM.
Where are the tryouts held?
Tryouts are held at Skyview High School in Nampa, Idaho, in the heart of the Treasure Valley. The Idaho Stags train in the Nampa area throughout the October–December season.
How much do Idaho Stags tryouts cost?
The Idaho Stags tryout fee is $20, paid when you reserve a tryout spot. Season fees are invoiced after tryouts and only for players who make a team.
What ages and grades can join?
The 2026 season is open to boys and girls in 3rd through 8th grade, with both competitive and developmental teams. The season runs October through December.
Do the Idaho Stags have high school teams?
Yes. The Idaho Stags field competitive and developmental teams for grades 3–12. High school teams (grades 9–12) play a separate season, currently in progress, and announce their tryouts separately from the grades 3–8 tryouts on August 8. Email Team@IdahoStags.com for high school information.
How do I register or contact the Idaho Stags?
Reserve a tryout spot using the Register button on this page, then email Team@IdahoStags.com with questions. You can also follow @idahostags on Instagram and Facebook.
Last updated: July 2026
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