Montana Leads the Nation in High School Basketball Participation

When it comes to high school hoops, Montana isn’t just playing the game, we’re dominating the stats.

A new nationwide study found that Montana leads the entire country in high school basketball participation. According to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations, 17% of all high school athletes in the Treasure State suited up for basketball during the 2023-2024 school year.

That’s 5,735 students (3,240 boys and 2,495 girls) dribbling, passing, and shooting their way across Montana’s courts, more than any other state proportionally.

Basketball Isn’t Just a Sport

In Montana, basketball isn’t just something kids do after school, it’s a tradition. From tiny gymnasiums in rural towns to rowdy student sections in bigger districts, basketball is part of the heartbeat of many communities. And this new study proves it. While other states are known for football or wrestling, Montana kids are picking basketball in huge numbers, and they’re sticking with it.

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Alaska and South Dakota Are Right Behind

Alaska grabbed the second spot, with 16.67% of high school athletes playing basketball, and South Dakota came in third with 16.26%.

Big States, Big Numbers but Not Big Percentages

States like Texas had jaw-dropping raw numbers, nearly 118,000 high school basketball players, but only ranked 7th in participation percentage because their overall athletics programs are so massive.

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What This Says About Montana’s Future Stars

Montana may not be churning out NBA draft picks every year like California or Florida, but the dedication to the game here is strong and growing. That passion builds the kind of fundamentals, discipline, and love for the sport that can carry young athletes far, whether it’s to college scholarships, coaching careers, or just a lifelong love of the game.