MOSCOW, Idaho - A big reason for Idaho Basketball's success in the 2024-25 season, as the coaches and players will tell you, was the depth.
Last year's squad was young, but they had talent and they were motivated to do what's best for the team. This was a selfless mentality that stretched from top to bottom of the roster. No one was out for themselves. The most important success was the Vandals' success. This season, under then-second year coach Alex Pribble, Idaho Basketball reached milestones it hadn't seen in some time.
There were many firsts for the program since the Big Sky Conference Tournament moved to Boise in 2019. Idaho earned it's first first-round bye in the bracket since the 2017-18 season, meaning the Vandals occupied a top-six seed for the first time in that same span.
Not only that, but the seeding wasn't a fluke. UI dismantled the #3 seed Portland State in the second round, 80-70, in a game that wasn't as close as the score suggests. This was not only the first tournament victory for the Vandals since 2017, but also propelled them to their first semifinal appearance since that same year.
With Coach Pribble entering his third year, a culture is forming in Moscow that, above all things, emphasizes character development, accountability, selflessness, and competing together with joy and with purpose. That Idaho Basketball returns nine players from last year's roster shows that the team is buying in, and big things are coming for the program.
"In the current landscape of college athletics, and men's basketball in particular, it's extremely difficult to retain a core group of players," said Pribble. "It's been a priority for us to try to find guys who want to wear that "Idaho" across their chest."
THE RETURNERS
TREVON BLASSINGAME
A 6'4" guard from Auburn, WA. "Tre" will be entering his third season in Moscow after transferring over from Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023. Due to an injury, he took a redshirt in the 24-25 season, but will be a key presence on the perimeter, looking to hit the ground running from his electric 2023-24 campaign.
Then a sophomore, Tre played in 31 games for the Vandals, starting 20 of them and averaging 20.8 minutes per game. He was a consistent threat to score as he shot 41.2% from the floor and 40.4% from three. He put up double figures in four games and was fourth on the team with 23 made threes.
ISAIAH BRICKNER
When he came on the court, Isaiah Brickner made a play. The 6'4" guard will begin his second season with Idaho after coming over from Marist College last year. The rising senior made waves as both an ice-veined shooter and a high-effort defender, and his presence was felt in many key games for Idaho.
Brickner played in all 33 games for Idaho, starting four of them. He led the team with an impressive 43.8% from the three-point line, and shot 45.8% overall. Many a game during the Vandals' season featured Brickner also making a wide-open steal where the other nine players on the court watched as he slammed the wide open dunk.
JACK PAYNE
A newcomer to Idaho Basketball in 2024 who quickly became a beloved face. Jack Payne's versatility, physicality, and selflessness brought firepower to the offense and a steady presence across the court. When "JP" wasn't on the court, he was one of the loudest to cheer on his teammates, and when he was on the court, big things were coming.
As a redshirt-sophomore, Payne played in all 33 games for the Vandals and started in all but the season opener against Northwest. He was among the team leaders in scoring, averaging 10.8 PPG and shooting 45.7% from the floor. A physical presence, Payne was often among those going up to grab a rebound when a shot hit off the rim, as he pulled in 5.1 boards per game. He established himself as one of the Vandals' top players when he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Sky at the end of the regular season and was named to the conference All-Tournament team for his efforts in Boise.
KRISTIAN GONZALEZ
After a solid freshman year, "KG" took a major step forward as a sophomore, establishing himself as a reliable shooter on the perimeter capable of getting hot at any time. He came in clutch in key moments during the season, setting the Vandals up for one of the biggest seasons in recent history.
Then a sophomore, Gonzalez played in 32 games between the regular season and Boise, starting 29 of those. He shot 44.7% from the floor and finished second overall on the team in total points with 364, but held the top spot in PPG with 11.1. Vs. Weber State in Ogden, when time was running out, the Wildcats repeatedly fouled KG to get him to the free throw line in order to get the ball back. He responded by going 10-13 from the charity stripe in what became an eight-point win, propelling Idaho to its first win in Ogden since 2017.
TITUS YEAROUT
One of the closest Vandals to home, Titus Yearout had a breakout campaign, earning more minutes throughout the season due to his high effort defensive play and ability to be the spark the team needs in crucial situations.
Yearout played in 22 games, earning his first career start vs. San Diego. After receiving a handful of minutes in the early slate of the year, he came off the bench in the Vandals' second contest with Portland State in February, going 2-3 from three and 4-5 from the floor to lead the team with 14 points, turning a seemingly out-of-reach game into a tighter contest that could have gone either way. Titus would continue to earn more minutes after this, earning nearly a full 28 vs. Montana State in Bozeman. As a versatile player on the perimeter, Yearout will continue to trend upward for Idaho.
KOLTON MITCHELL
One of the best freshman seasons in school history, Mitchell came to Moscow by way of the team down south and immediately became the go-to guy for the Vandals at point guard. His clutch shooting, no-look passes, and durability made him a fan favorite in the ICCU Arena, a status that was cemented by his 35-foot buzzer-beating heave to hand Northern Colorado it's first conference loss of the year.
Kolton played and started in all 33 games for the Vandals, the only player on the team to do so. He shot an even 40% from the floor and earned the most points on the team at 367. He led all Big Sky freshmen in most major offensive categories and is the first Idaho freshman to record five three-pointers in a game, tallying five vs. Northern Colorado and six vs. Pacific. Kolton was a threat to score from any range, including the free-throw line, where he finished at 89.5% and went 18-20 in the last six games of the season. With three seasons to go, Mitchell could finish his career as one of the greats in Idaho history.
EWAN STEELE
A rising sophomore big man from Canada, Ewan Steele was a strong rotational piece in the post for Idaho, especially early in the season. With multiple pieces of the Vandals' frontcourt from last season graduating, Steele will have an opportunity to earn more minutes in his second year.
Ewan played in 13 games for Idaho in the 24-25 season, earning a career high 14 minutes vs. Evergreen State, where he logged five points, another career best. He earned 1.8 rebounds per game in the action he saw, maintaining his presence under the rim.
TYLER LINHARDT
The definition of doing what's best for the team, Tyler Linhardt will be entering his third season with Idaho, and saw a new role for the Vandals last season. Shorthanded at times at the five spot, the 6'7", 220LB Linhardt filled in that role for some key contests down the stretch, and used his agility and handling to his advantage against the bigger, slower centers that couldn't match that type of speed.
Linhardt played in 28 games for the black and gold, starting the season opener vs. Northwest. From the floor, he shot 42.9% as one of the best sixth men in the Big Sky. As he earned more minutes in the five spot, Linhardt had a late season surge, earning a combined 48 points on the road vs. Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado, two of his twelve double-figure games on the year. With competition at the five spot projected for the upcoming season, Linhardt will be a key piece in Idaho's deep offense in the 25-26 slate.
MILES KLAPPER
A 6'3" guard with lots of upside, Klapper came to Moscow as a freshman looking to earn minutes on the perimeter for Idaho. Now with a season of college basketball under his belt, he will continue to compete for playing time and establish himself among a strong Vandals' perimeter.
As a freshman, Klapper played in 18 games for Idaho, making an impact almost immediately with a career high eight points vs. Evergreen State. He pulled in six boards vs. San Diego and tallied three assists for UI against BYU.
The nine returners for Vandal hoops is a reason for fans to be excited, as the culture is setting in and the program is ready to take the next step in year three.
"One of the best parts of coaching is being able to invest in young men and watch them develop," quoted Pribble. "But that takes time. These nine guys are committed to the process of getting better, and committed to trying to do something special together, here in Moscow."
FOLLOW VANDAL HOOPS
To stay up to date on Idaho Basketball, follow the team on Instagram (vandalhoops), X(VandalHoops), and visit govandals.com
