Two people playing wheelchair basketball at an indoor court
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Basketball/Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair Basketball

About

In the beginning you had to have a spinal cord injury in order to play wheelchair basketball. But that, much like the game itself, has come a long way since 1946. Today, in order to be eligible to play wheelchair basketball within the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) a person must have a permanent lower extremity disability that precludes then from playing competitive stand up basketball. In addition to spinal cord injury (SCI), many types of disabilities qualify a person to play wheelchair basketball. Spina bifida, cerebral palsy, post polio syndrome, lower extremity amputation, leg length discrepancy, and permanent joint disorders are just a few of the disabilities that would qualify a person to play wheelchair basketball.

 

One of the misconceptions of wheelchair basketball is that you must use a chair for everyday mobility in order to play the sport. In fact, many wheelchair basketball athletes get up out of their chair at the end of a game or practice and walk around for the rest of the day. This could be a person with an amputation that utilizes a prosthetic or a person with an incomplete spinal cord injury or a person with cerebral palsy that is ambulatory.

 

Many people who play in the NWBA qualify under Minimum Disability. These people may not have a disability that is noticeable to the eye but have been determined by a medical professional to have a permanent disability that precludes them from playing competitive stand up basketball. A person who has undergone reconstructive knee surgery may fall into this category.

Equipment

Click here for a list of resources for Wheelchair Basketball equipment.

Competition

Divisions

 

The NWBA offers five divisions of play: Championship, Women’s, Division III, Collegiate, and Junior. There are two leagues within the Junior Division, Varsity and Prep.

 

Championship Division

 

The Championship Division is the highest level of play within the NWBA. Both men and women can play within this division and many of our Paralympians compete within this division.

 

Women’s Division

 

The Women’s Division offers the opportunity for women to compete against one another. There is no age restriction on this division so it is open to all females and anyone on a Women’s Division team is also eligible to compete on either a Championship or Division III team.

 

Division III

 

Division III was founded as a recreational division to allow newly injured athletes the opportunity to experience wheelchair basketball and develop their skills in a slightly less competitive environment than the Championship Division. Anyone is eligible to be a member of a Division III team.

 

College Division

 

The College Division of the NWBA is one of the most unique opportunities within adapted sport. The teams within this division are part of their university and the athletes are all full-time students. Depending on the university, scholarships are available to play wheelchair basketball. Currently, the following institutions offer wheelchair basketball within the NWBA Collegiate Division:

 

  • University of Illinois Champaign Urbana – Men and Women
  • University of Alabama – Men and Women
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – Men and Women
  • University of Texas-Arlington – Men and Women
  • University of Missouri – Men
  • Edinboro University – Men
  • Southwest Minnesota State University – Men
  • Auburn University – Men

 

Junior Division

 

The Junior Division is comprised of two leagues, Varsity and Prep. These are differentiated by age requirements. In order to be eligible for the Prep League an athlete must be 13 or under at the start of the season. The Junior Division is open to both boys and girls and athletes in the Junior Division are eligible to participate on an adult team as well. Athletes on a Prep team may also play on a Varsity team.

 

Giving Back to Those Who Served

 

In addition to these Divisions, the NWBA has numerous programs for veterans funded through a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs and various sponsors. These programs include development camps, clinics, coaches’ education, training and certification and regional and national competitions.

Learn More

Paralympic Sport Coaching Guide –USPC Coaching Manual
National Governing Body –National Wheelchair Basketball Association
International Governing Body –International Wheelchair Basketball Federation

 

Programs Near You

Ready to take your shot? Click here to find a location near you!