Public scrimmage and fundraiser on August 14 lets anyone climb into a sport chair, run the court, and shoot for a title in free-throw and three-point contests.
The Gem State Falcons, the adult wheelchair basketball team of Gem State Sports, will host a live scrimmage and community fundraiser at The Grove Plaza in downtown Boise, next to the Boise Centre and The Grove Hotel. The afternoon pairs competitive, full-speed wheelchair basketball with an open invitation that most events never make: come off the sidewalk, get in a chair, and play.
Passersby of every age and ability will be able to roll onto the court in a sport wheelchair and try the game for themselves — no experience required. Falcons athletes and coaches will be on hand to help first-timers get moving, learn to dribble and pass while pushing, and take their first shots. For those who want a little competition, free-throw and three-point contests will run throughout the event, open to anyone brave enough to line up.
“Most people have never watched wheelchair basketball, let alone played it,” said Tommy Schroeder, Director of Youth Athletics of Gem State Sports. “Ten minutes in a chair changes that. You stop seeing the wheelchair and start seeing the athlete — and you realize how fast, physical, and skilled this game really is. That shift is exactly what we want to happen in the middle of downtown, in front of everybody.”
The event does double duty as a fundraiser. Gem State Sports fields three wheelchair basketball teams — Junior Prep, Junior Varsity (coming soon), and the adult Falcons — and competes under the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Sport wheelchairs, court time, travel, and tournament fees carry real costs, and the organization relies on community support to keep participation affordable for athletes and their families. Every dollar raised at The Grove Plaza goes directly toward equipment and programming for local players.
What to expect
- A live Falcons scrimmage — the adult team playing full-court, at speed, the way the game is meant to be seen.
- Open “try a chair” sessions — anyone can get into a sport wheelchair and play, with Falcons athletes coaching newcomers through the basics.
- Free-throw contest — step to the line and see if you can sink it under pressure.
- Three-point contest — for the shooters who want to test their range from a chair.
The Grove Plaza’s open, central location puts the game where the community already gathers, turning an ordinary Friday downtown into a firsthand introduction to adaptive sport.
About Gem State Sports
Gem State Sports is a nonprofit adaptive athletics organization based in the Boise and Meridian area. It fields three wheelchair basketball teams — Junior Prep, Junior Varsity, and the adult Falcons — competing under the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Gem State Sports exists to make competitive, community-based wheelchair basketball accessible to athletes across the Treasure Valley. Learn more at gemstatesports.org.
Event details
What: Gem State Falcons wheelchair basketball scrimmage, open community play, and fundraiser
When: Friday, August 14, 2026
Where: The Grove Plaza, downtown Boise (adjacent to the Boise Centre and The Grove Hotel)
Cost: Free to watch and to try; donations support Gem State Sports athletes
Who: All ages and abilities welcome