Who can play:

In order to play, you MUST be able to push your own chair and *To be eligible for play in the NWBA, a player must have an irreversible lower extremity disability, such as paralysis, amputation, radiological evidence of limb shortening, partial to full joint alkalosis or joint replacement, which consistently interferes with functional mobility. Findings such as soft tissue contracture, ligamentous instability, edema or disuse atrophy, or symptoms such as pain or numbness, without other objective findings shall not be considered a permanent lower extremity disability.*    * Directly from the NWBA Rules book 2017-2018*

Age Groups:

Ages 13 and under are included in the "Prep" age group

Ages 14 (or younger) to 21, (18 and above must still be in high school),are included in the "Varsity" age group. The "Varsity" age group is further divided to "Varsity" and "Junior Varsity" or "NIT". This is divided by competitiveness.

The good news is that ALL three, Prep, Junior Varsity/ NIT and Varsity, are able to compete in thier own National Championship Tournament. These are held genrally in the April time frame. We will attend the National Championships providing we have commitment from Parents and Athletes throughout the entire year.

Basketball Wheelchairs:

We do have a few sports wheelchairs that we are able to let athletes borrow for practice, however it is best that the athletes purchase a wheelchair to form their own body, they are custom fit to the individual. It will increase the athletes ability on the court. There are several manufacturers and we know them all. Many of our athletes have used the CAF grant to assist in purchasing chairs please check http://www.challengedathletes.org/programs/grants/  for more information.

Practice:

We practice year round at the Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center in Manhattan from 1-3 PM on Sundays. The address is 232 West 60th Street New York, NY

Games and Tournaments:

Our playing season starts October 1st and ends generally in mid-April at the National Tournament where we will play teams from anywhere and everywhere in the country.

We play other youth teams literally from all across the country from Seattle, WA to Houston, TX to Minneapolis, MN to Tampa, Fl to Philadelphia, PA.

Depending on commitment levels from parents and athletes, in prior years we have traveled to tournaments in Birmingham AL, Nashville TN, White Water WI, Philadelphia PA, Baltimore MD, Richmond VA and elsewhere.

Conferences:

We are 1 of 6 teams that make up the Eastern Conference of the NWBA. There are 6 Conferences all together in the Junior Division of the NWBA, which includes at total of 45 Varsity age group teams and 23 Prep age group teams. Please click on the Divisions tab on the left to see the different Conferences. These teams a spread all across the country.

The Experiance:

Kids and parents will make life long friends with poeple from across the country. Its one of the wonderful things about Wheelchair Basketball.

College Camps:

We implore all our athletes to do at least one camp per summer, its a great learning experiance.

All 9 Colleges and Universities that currently have wheelchair Basketball programs, have summer camps. We list them on our home page when appropriate. Its a great opportunity for the athlete and parents to visit a college and see if they like what the see, and meet the coahes and players of the team. 

 Pathway to College:

Currently there are 9 Colleges and Universities that have mens teams and 4 that have womens teams. All of these teams give scholarships for the right student athletes. Also through State and Federal Programs your child has a very good chance to acquire a FREE college education, we will help guide you through the process as our coach and board of directors prepare your young athletes to play at a college level.

  Recent Graduates in College:

 Adam Cruz                    2012  University of Arizona

Cory Copland                 2012   Edinboro University , now University of Alabama

Christopher Bacon          2013   University of Alabama

Carlos Febres- Cordero   2013   University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Isaiah Moore                  2013   Edinboro University

Fabrizio Shao                 2013   University of Arizona