Idaho Stags is a basketball club located in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, dedicated to the development of competitive players and teams. Idaho Stags embraces sound team basketball philosophy while pursuing elite individual skill development. We challenge players to reach their full potential as a player and as a person.
LATEST NEWS.
In-Process:
Dear Stags Families,
We’re excited to remind you that Idaho Stags practices for all teams begin this Monday or Tuesday, October 21 and 22, 2024! Please note, as outlined on your team’s schedule, that 2029 Stafford, Bower Girls, and 2033 Owen will be practicing at Skyview High School on Monday instead of their regular gyms.
Individual team practice schedules have already been shared via email, so be sure to check those for any updates. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Our coaches are hard at work finalizing tournament schedules for the October-December block, and we’ll share those as soon as they’re available.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone back on the court this Monday!
Go Stags!
Idaho Stags Basketball
General Items:
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AAU Membership: Please update your AAU Membership between September 1st and the start of practice.
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Team Communication and Schedules: Watch for messages from your coach within TeamSnap
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Tryouts have concluded. Registration is now open for players who receive a direct invitation from a team coach.
🏀 AAU Membership & Reporting Requirements:
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All players and coaches must obtain and maintain an active AAU Membership.
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Players should choose the 'Youth Athlete' option, while coaches should select the 'Non-Athlete - Coaches' membership.
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Link your AAU membership to the '2025 - Idaho Stags' club with the code W3FY3C.
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Players must confirm their membership before participating in any practice.
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Players report and verify their membership by entering their AAU Membership number in the "AAU Membership Number" field on their TeamSnap Roster.
🏀 Nampa Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot Contest – November 14, 2024 🏀
Dear Idaho Stags Family,
We are excited to invite our athletes to the Nampa Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot Contest! This is a fantastic opportunity for our young players to showcase their skills, compete, and represent our club in an event that celebrates the essence of youth basketball.
Event Details:
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Date: November 14, 2024
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Time: Registration at 5:30 PM | Contest starts at 6:00 PM
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Location: Nampa Christian High School
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Eligibility: Boys and girls ages 8-13. Players' ages will be determined based on their age as of April 1, 2025.
The Elks National Hoop Shoot is more than just a free throw contest—it’s a character-building experience that emphasizes hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Learn more about the contest and its values here.
We believe our Idaho Stags athletes have what it takes to shine in this competition, and we would love to see you out there representing our club!
Let’s aim high, shoot some hoops, and make lasting memories.
Go Stags!
Warm regards,
Idaho Stags Basketball
🏀 TeamSnap:
We use TeamSnap for player profiles, team rosters, schedules, camp and clinic signups, dues, and payments. Here are guides for getting started with TeamSnap:
ABOUT THE CLUB.
Idaho Stags is a premier basketball club located in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, dedicated to the development of competitive players and teams. Idaho Stags embraces sound team basketball philosophy while pursuing elite individual skill development. We challenge players to reach their full potential as a player and as a person.
The foundational pillars of the club are Unity, Humility, Passion, Thankfulness, and Servanthood. The club’s founder, Ricky Bower, learned these pillars while playing for the legendary coach, Dick Bennett, at the University of Wisconsin. Ricky was recruited to Wisconsin by Dick Bennett’s son, Tony Bennett, who now coaches at the University of Virginia. Ricky’s college basketball experience makes the club uniquely situated to help Idaho youth prepare for and get to the next level.
The Idaho Stags place special emphasis on shooting and dedicate one night a week to the development of this skill (in addition to two team practices). For most teams, this shooting workout is conducted by the club’s founder, Ricky Bower, who set multiple 3-point shooting records in college. Ricky recognizes this skill as essential for Idaho youth who desire to play college basketball.
Idaho Stags has begun using the Mettle Sports facility. This new relationship allows our players to receive speed and agility training from certified trainers in the same facility where basketball practice is held. This summer, our players have the opportunity to participate in speed and agility training directly followed by 3-on-3 basketball. We anticipate that speed and agility training will become a permanent component of our program, offering our boys an opportunity to maximize their athleticism.
The club began in 2017 and has grown quickly, now hosting competitive and developmental teams for 3rd-12th grade boys. In addition to the competitive teams, the club offers ongoing skill development sessions for the aspiring player. For further information, please contact Ricky at idahostags@gmail.com.
Unity.
Humility.
Passion.
Thankfulness.
Servanthood.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER.
Ricky Bower is an Idaho Native. Ricky grew up in the Treasure Valley and was part of Skyview’s charter class. He was named Adidas Mr. Basketball for the State of Idaho his senior year and led the state in scoring and assist making. Ricky still holds the 6A Southern Idaho Conference Scoring Record (26.3 pts per game). Ricky played for the Ricks College Vikings, Wisconsin Badgers, and BYU Cougars. Ricky’s Ricks College team won Region 18 and placed 8th nationally. Ricky was named Region 18’s tournament MVP and was named to the national all-tournament team with Shawn Marion and Steve Francis. Ricky’s Wisconsin team was ranked in the Top 25 all year and Ricky was ESPN Player of the Game against Temple and Ohio State. Ricky’s 2002-03 BYU team was Regular Season Conference Co-Champions of the Mountain West and made a NCAA tournament appearance against UConn. Ricky was inducted into the Skyview Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.