Who is competing at this spring's BAM Jam?

This post was originally posted on February 4, 2015. But since so many people found it interesting, we've reposted with updates. 

Last year, BAM Jam really dug in to understand our players better. We've taken a look at our brackets from 2011-2014, conducted a large survey, posted some online polls and reached out to talk with some of our BAM Jam players.

Our hope is that by better understanding who our players are, we will be able to do a better job serving your needs. And we intend to keep this going at our next BAM Jam tournament, presented by Treasure Valley Ford Stores, on March 19-20, 2016 at Capital High School in Boise, Idaho.

As we compiled the information, we thought you might be interested in knowing who you are playing against and who you might be watching. We also included some things that you told us we should consider taking a closer look at.

Summer BAM Jam Champs for 2015

Here is a list of bracket champions for the 2015 Summer BAM Jam, presented by Treasure Valley Ford Stores. Thank you to everyone that participated!

You can tentatively mark March 19-20, 2016 down for next year's Spring BAM Jam. Be sure to check your email in the next month or so for information on registering your team.

Tick Tock Media won the 2015 Summer BAM Jam Men's Elite 6'0 and Over Division

2015 Summer Champs

Northwestern Mutual Men's Elite 6'0 Over - Tick Tock Media

Northwestern Mutual Men's 6'0 Under - STADIA

Northwestern Mutual Women's elite - Hapa Lolo

Beniton Construction Coed - Basketeers

AAA of Idaho 6'0 Over Recreational #1 - A Plus

Mountain West Bank 6'0 Over Recreational #2 - Lip Rippers

Old Chicago 6'0 Under Recreational - Scary Payton

Johnny's Fit Club 6'0 Under Competitive #1 - Ball Above All

BodyBuilding.com 6'0 Under Competitive #2 - Ruthless

BodyBuilding.com 6'0 Over Competitive #1 - JDB Three

Goldy's 6'0 Over Competitive #2 - Goldys

KM Engineering 6'0 Over Competitive #3 - NAIA Plus One

Eddie's Diner Girls 3/4 Grade - Check It Up

Mikasa Girls 5/6 Grade - Three Talls One Small

Design West Girls 7/8 Grade - Slam Girls

Goss Gustavel Goss Boys 3rd Grade - Shooting Stars

Goss Gustavel Goss Boys 4th Grade - TC Blaze

Bronco Shop Boys 5th Grade - Boise Slammers

Domino's Boys 6th Grade - HD Nation

Wright Brothers Boys 7th Grade - Boise Slam

Hampton Inn Boys 8th Grade - White Men Can Jump

State Farm Randy Klein Boys 9th Grade - Lapwai Hoops

Sports Authority Boys 10/11 Grade - Velociraptos

Pita Pit Boys 12 Grade - Knuckleheadz

Bucks Bags Girls 9/10 Grade - OC Ballin

Bucks Bags Girls 11/12 Grade - Victorious Secret

POWERADE Slam Dunk Championship - Ryan Grinnell

First Federal Bank 3-Point Challenge - Ryan Skurdal

Thanks to Treasure Valley Ford Stores for making the tournament possible and to Grind Modern Burger for creating a special court for some of our adult teams.

Ryan Grinnell wins the POWERADE Slam Dunk Championship

Players to watch at this summer's BAM Jam

TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

BAM Jam, presented by Treasure Valley Ford Stores, typically features some of the most talented men's and women's players in the northwest. Thanks to a centralized location with college programs of all sizes located near by, it is no shock that players ranging from community college to the professional level play in the tournament.

There are far too many players to list all of them with details so we've picked out a few highlights and have listed them here.

Coby Karl – Karl is currently listed on the Walking Buckets (6'0 Over Elite) roster along side former Boise State Broncos Rob Heyer and Mark Sanchez and Boise State Assistant Coach John Rillie (who played at Gonzaga and is an Australian native). Karl would be the first NBA player to participate in BAM Jam. Karl played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2007-08 season and also with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009. This past season he played with the Reno Bighorns in the NBA D-League. With Karl, Rillie and Sanchez the Walking Buckets will have 3 professionals on their squad, the most of any team this tournament.

Matt Bauscher – The “do everything” former Boise State Bronco is rumored to be considering a come back at BAM Jam with Team Muscle Pharm in the Men's 6'0 Over Elite. Bauscher retired from professional basketball this past year after a very successful run in Europe. The Muscle Pharm team lost a key player about 2 weeks ago in Booker Nabors, who blew out his Achilles while competing at the USA Basketball 3 on 3 National Tournament in Colorado Springs. Bauscher would make a nice fill in and will definitely make Muscle Pharm a top contender. The returning 3 players with Muscle Pharm, Chris Allen, Kevin Baker and Craig McGee, were all on last spring and summer's championship team and also did very well at the USA Basketball 3 on 3 National Tournament this past July.

Will Bogan – Bogan was an all state player and state champion at Vallivue High School in Caldwell, Idaho before signing to play with Ole Miss. After graduating in just 3 seasons with the Rebels, Bogan transferred to Valparaiso where he started 62 of 68 games. He is playing for Unlimited Range in the 6'0 Under Elite division.  

Coby Karl, John Rillie and Matt Bauscher are just a few players to keep an eye on at this summer's BAM Jam

2015 Media and Event Guide

2015 Summer BAM Jam

Presented by Treasure Valley Ford Stores

Media Packet

August 8-9, 2015

This media packet includes information about the upcoming 8^th Annual BAM Jam, presented by Treasure Valley Ford Stores. BAM Jam is the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Idaho, happening this Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9. In this packet you will find helpful information such as:

• Top Players to Watch
• Random facts about the tournament
• Schedule of events
• Locations at the event where you can find great tournament images
• Tournament Layout
• Contact information

We hope this helps you as you cover one of the biggest events in Boise this August!

Click here to download the Media and Event Guide.

The 2015 BAM Jam Media and Event Guide is now available

Enjoy the sun but be aware of the melanoma risks

St. Luke's Men's Health offers helpful
tips on preventing melanoma

Did you know that Idaho consistently ranks among the highest states for melanoma incidence and death rates?

Whether you are playing in the tournament, on the lake or enjoying a back yard BBQ, the sun is always a factor.

Melanoma incidence has more than tripled over the last 30 years. Melanoma is much more common among non-Hispanic whites than people of other races and ethnicities.

Here are a few helpful tips to consider: