The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is made of over 200 teams from across the country. The NWBA was founded in 1948 and today the organization consists of men’s, women’s, intercollegiate, and youth teams throughout the United States of America and Canada. The mission of the organization is to provide qualified individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play, learn and compete in the sport of wheelchair basketball.
Wheelchair basketball follows most of the same rules as the National Basketball Association (NBA). The major difference is that all players participate in the game using a wheelchair to move around the court. Other rules are adapted to better suit the player’s needs. For example, for a “jump ball” the official throws the ball in the air, but players must stay seated in the wheelchairs and only reach for the ball to gain possession.
The National Wheelchair Basketball Association has teams around the country from Chicago to Denver to Los Angeles. The NWBA also has registered teams in younger age groups with junior and intercollegiate leagues. Visit the NWBA’s website to learn about a team near you.
During summer months, the NWBA hosts summer camps at various colleges including the University of Alabama, University of Missouri, Edinboro University and the University of Arizona. Specific camps are targeted at different age groups, but overall, camps are available for people between the ages of 8 and 25 who have mobility impairments.
For more information visit, www.nwba.org.