News

Kyrell Sopotyk

Aug 14, 2025 – Biography Sports were always a big part of Kyrell Sopotyk’s life growing up. The Aberdeen, Sask. native played everything from basketball to volleyball and ran track and field in high school. Sopotyk’s sport of choice was on the ice, where he spent two seasons playing with the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers. However, Sopotyk’s hockey […] Read more

Lionel Tamoki

Aug 14, 2025 – Biography Lionel Tamoki was first introduced to wheelchair basketball after meeting coach Marc Antoine Ducharme. Tamoki was dribbling a basketball on his walk home from school when Ducharme stopped the then-teenager to gauge his interest in the game. Growing up, Tamoki had aspirations of playing professional stand up basketball, but due to his disability, he […] Read more

Josh Brown

Aug 14, 2025 – Biography In 2014, Josh Brown was first introduced to wheelchair basketball. In his hometown of East St. Paul, Man., a friend first introduced Brown to sledge hockey before a later transition onto the court. Brown’s love of the sport comes from the mental and physical challenge it provides him. As a person who is not […] Read more

Rosie Long

Aug 08, 2025 – Rosie Long was introduced to wheelchair basketball by Burlington Vipers coach Chris Chandler. Long suffered a spinal cord injury in November 2016 when she was hit by a bus. Chandler heard of Long’s story and reached out to her parents on social media to gauge her interest in trying wheelchair basketball. The thought of representing […] Read more

Keaton MacEachern

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography: When Keaton MacEachern wanted to return to sports, the Hagkulls introduced him to the Chilliwack Cheetahs wheelchair basketball program. MacEachern was receiving leukemia treatment when he lost functionality in his legs. Before the leukemia treatment, MacEachern played soccer, baseball, and football. Looking to fill the void, Brad Hagkull introduced MacEachern to wheelchair basketball. The […] Read more

Bernard Rosello

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography : Bernard Rosello was first introduced to wheelchair basketball by a sledge hockey teammate and was immediately hooked on the sport. The Winnipeg, Man. native was 12 years old when he first tried wheelchair basketball, but it quickly became his passion. Born with proximal femoral focal deficiency – a condition affecting the development of […] Read more

Cameron Gelowitz

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography: Cameron Gelowitz dipped his foot into any sport possible while growing up, trying everything from soccer to diving. Born in Kamloops, B.C., Gelowitz grew up in Ottawa until the age of 12, when the family decided to relocate back to the West Coast. Once back in Kamloops, Gelowitz picked up basketball and played into […] Read more

Matthew Wilton

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography: Matthew Wilton first discovered wheelchair basketball while driving around Winnipeg with his mother. Wilton was in the car when they went past a Team Manitoba practice outside a local library and decided to try the sport. Wilton, born with spine bifida, has tried other parasports such as swimming, archery, and fencing but has always […] Read more

Nasif Chowdhury

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography: Nasif Chowdhury was reluctant when he was initially introduced to parasport. The Toronto native grew up playing everything from stand-up basketball and volleyball to badminton and cricket. While he was representing Harbord Collegiate Institute in volleyball at the year-end Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association tournament, an official approached him about parasport. Chowdhury, a […] Read more

Broden Nagle

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography: Broden Nagle was shopping for shoes that would fit his Ankle Foot Orthoses (A.F.O.) when he first met wheelchair basketball coach Paul Bowes. Bowes recognized Nagle’s disability and introduced the family to the opportunities in parasport. Nagle grew up playing soccer, but the London, Ont. native was born with bilateral club feet, and as […] Read more

Ibrahim Odza

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography Coming soon. Interesting Facts: Ibrahim’s favourite vacation spot is Macedonia Considers Drake his favourite artist The last book he read was The Crossover Major International Competition Tournament Other U23 Men’s World Championship: 1 0 0 0 9th (’25) Career Notes: 2025: Named to Team Canada’s Men’s Under-23 World Championship roster… Qualified for Under-23 World […] Read more

Simon Mazi-Keep

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography Coming soon. Interesting Facts: Coming soon. Major International Competition Tournament Other U23 Men’s World Championship: 1 0 0 0 9th (’25) Career Notes: 2025: Named to Team Canada’s Men’s Under-23 World Championship roster… Finished first with Team Ontario Black at Junior East Championship… Named tournament all-star at Junior East Championship… Won gold with Team […] Read more

Brandon Louie

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography Coming soon. Interesting Facts:  Teammates with SMNT member Blaise Mutware at the University of Arizona Econ major at Arizona His nickname is ‘BLou’ The last book he read was The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes He is currently binge-watching The Apothecary Diaries His favourite workout is anything related to shooting Major International Competition Tournament […] Read more

Thai Milton

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography Coming soon.  Interesting Facts: Thai’s nickname is ‘TMilly’ Considers Lil Teko his favourite artist He is currently binge-watching Invincible Bench press is his favourite workout Major International Competition Tournament Other U23 Men’s World Championship: 1 0 0 0 9th (’25) Career Notes: 2025: Named to Team Canada’s Men’s Under-23 World Championship roster… Finished first […] Read more

Dylan Cannan

Jun 06, 2025 – Biography Coming soon. Interesting Facts: Coming soon. Major International Competition Tournament Other U23 Men’s World Championship: 1 0 0 0 9th (’25) Career Notes: 2025: Named to Team Canada’s Men’s Under-23 World Championship roster… Qualified for Under-23 World Championship with a 55-54 victory over Brazil in semifinals at the IWBF Men’s U23 Americas Championship in […] Read more

Jeffer Ward

Nov 18, 2024 – Biography: Born in Colombia and raised in the U.S. and Korea, it wasn’t until Jeffer Ward moved to Vancouver that he found organized wheelchair basketball as a 13-year-old. Ward, born with Arthrogryposis, a term used to describe a variety of conditions involving multiple joint contractures or stiffness, was first introduced to wheelchair basketball at week-long […] Read more

Lily Brook

Nov 15, 2024 – Biography Lily Brook was actively involved in sports growing up, playing everything from basketball to soccer, skiing and running cross country; however, that changed when she was diagnosed with osteochondritis in her ankles as an 11-year-old. With her focus shifted to adaptive sport, Brook first tried swimming and then boxing – wheelchair basketball introduced to […] Read more

Charlotte McElroy

Nov 15, 2024 – Biography: Charlotte McElroy was immediately hooked on wheelchair basketball the first time she had the opportunity to try the sport. McElroy was just six-years-old when she attended an event at McMaster University where she had the chance to participate in various sports. The Hamilton, Ont. native recalls being persuaded to try wheelchair basketball at the […] Read more

Katie Bajema

Nov 15, 2024 – Biography: Kate Bajema was first introduced to wheelchair basketball in July 2022 by family friend and fellow wheelchair basketball athlete Anika Guillaume. Born with cerebral palsy spastic hemiplegia, which affects her right arm, Bajema is a regular at coach Darrell Nordell’s practices. The Sturgeon County, Alta. native, who is also a track athlete, hopes to […] Read more

Mercy Nyakundi

Nov 15, 2024 – Biography: Mercy Nyakundi was introduced to wheelchair basketball as a 14-year-old when she was given the opportunity to try adaptive sports at the health care centre she was attending. Nyakundi was introduced to coach Chris Chandler through one of her teammates, who helped fuel her passion for the sport. Born with Spina Bifida Intradural Lipoma, […] Read more

Kayla MacKinnon

Nov 15, 2024 – Biography: Kayla MacKinnon’s career in wheelchair basketball started when she met coach Cher Smith. Born with cerebral palsy, MacKinnon was looking to be more active when it was recommended she try archery. The Dartmouth, N.S. native also tried wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis but decided to stick to wheelchair basketball. Wheelchair basketball allows MacKinnon to […] Read more

Elise Froese

Nov 15, 2024 – Biography: Elise Froese was an avid stand-up basketball and volleyball athlete in school; however, by the time she reached Grade 7, the osteochondral defect (OCD) in her leg had progressed to the point she had to look for alternatives. The potential in wheelchair basketball led the Victoria, B.C. native to give the game a chance. […] Read more

Maggie Manning

Nov 15, 2024 – Biography: Coming soon. Major International Competition Tournament Other U25 Women’s World Championship: 1 0 0 0 6th (’23) Career Notes 2023: 6th place finish with Team Canada at the 2023 U25 Women’s World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. Read more

Desiree Isaac-Pictou

Dec 06, 2023 – Biography Desiree Isaac-Pictou was first introduced to wheelchair basketball in 2021. Isaac-Pictou was watching a mud bog race— a form of off-road motorsport—near her home in Eel River Bar First Nation, N.B., when one of the vehicles derailed from the track and struck her, resulting in multiple fractures and two leg amputations. As part of […] Read more

Bethany Johnson

Dec 06, 2023 – Biography  During the summer between Grades 7 and 8, Bethany Johnson experienced a slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Following her first hip surgery, Johnson was introduced to wheelchair basketball twice. Johnson’s physiotherapist, Darren Bittner, who played wheelchair basketball for Team Manitoba, suggested she try the game. Then, Johnson’s gym teacher introduced her class to wheelchair basketball. […] Read more

Sofia Fassi-Fehri

Jun 06, 2023 – Biography Sofia Fassi-Fehri was introduced to wheelchair basketball following a 2013 motorcycle accident. Fassi-Fehri has paralysis from the chest down and in her right shoulder following her accident. While rehabilitating from the accident, Fassi-Fehri was introduced to various adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball. Fassi-Fehri stuck with wheelchair basketball because she enjoyed the social aspect of […] Read more

Megan Smith

Jun 06, 2023 – Biography Megan Smith was introduced to wheelchair basketball by Marni Abbott-Peter as a six-year-old at a Let’s Play event – an initiative of the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society that gives children with physical disabilities access to a sport wheelchair and other resources to develop the skills they need to participate in sports. Born with distal […] Read more

Reed De’Aeth

Jun 06, 2023 – Biography Reed De’Aeth was first introduced to wheelchair basketball seven years ago at a para-athlete search in Calgary. In addition to wheelchair basketball, the Sherwood Park, Alta. native also tried sledge hockey and para nordic skiing before sticking with basketball. De’Aeth was born without a fibula, and his parents decided to amputate his left foot […] Read more

Danielle DuPlessis

Jul 30, 2019 – Biography Danielle DuPlessis got started in wheelchair basketball in 2017 and quickly rose to the national team level. She was first introduced to the sport when Dave Durepos, a Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball, came for a presentation in her elementary school. During university, she had sustained too many injuries to continue with stand […] Read more

Blaise Mutware

Jul 17, 2019 – Biography Blaise Mutware started playing stand up basketball before a serious injury led him to wheelchair basketball. Mutware was born in Rwanda and moved around to South Africa and Zimbabwe before settling in Toronto at age 13. In Toronto, Mutware took up stand up basketball and also developed a passion for cooking. He was enrolled […] Read more

Sandrine Bérubé

Jul 26, 2018 – Biography Sandrine Bérubé starting playing wheelchair basketball in 2014 after she injured herself playing hockey. Introduced by a family friend, Bérubé quickly grew to love the sport. Bérubé, a highly analytical and competitive player, enjoys the team atmosphere and the physical intensity of the sport. She began her career playing for the Valleyfield Mini-Eagle Team […] Read more

Tara Llanes

Jul 26, 2018 – Biography Tara Llanes was playing wheelchair tennis at the time when she met former Team Canada player, Amanda Yan, who encouraged her to try wheelchair basketball. At the same time, she was trying to improve her speed on the tennis court, and former Team Canada and Hall of Famer Richard “Bear” Peter said basketball would […] Read more

Puisand Lai

Jul 23, 2018 – Biography Wheelchair basketball was just one of the many sports that Puisand Lai’s parents signed her up for in 2013. Reluctant to go at first, Lai eventually fell in love with the intensity and thrill of wheelchair basketball. Her career began in a house league and only a year later, she started to play competitively. […] Read more

Kady Dandeneau

Aug 09, 2017 – Biography Kady Dandeneau has always been a passionate basketball player. Before taking up wheelchair basketball, Dandeneau was an all-star standup basketball player in British Columbia, playing for the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves from 2007 to 2013. She began playing wheelchair basketball in 2015 after being introduced to the game by fellow Pender Island […] Read more

Colin Higgins

Aug 09, 2017 – Biography Born and raised on the east coast, Colin Higgins joined the wheelchair basketball circuit in 2014, after local classifier Karen Ferguson asked him to come and try out. Instantly, Higgins was hooked on the game and fell in love with the sport because of its complexity – from being aggressive, passive, to the physicality. […] Read more

Westley Johnston

May 08, 2017 – Biography Johnston began his basketball journey playing stand up basketball but after acquiring an injury switched to wheelchair basketball and immediately developed a passion for the sport and the community. Johnston has worked hard to steadily make a name for himself within the Canadian wheelchair basketball scene. He first started playing with the PEI Mustangs and […] Read more

Ben Tumack

May 08, 2017 – Biography Tumack fell in love with wheelchair basketball when he met paralympians Danielle Peers and Karla Tritten at a demonstration of the sport in his hometown of Edmonton. At eight years of age he entered the Edmonton Mini Lights program and he has since forged his path toward the Canadian junior national team. Tumack loves […] Read more

Garrett Ostepchuk

May 08, 2017 – Biography Ostepchuk made his wheelchair basketball debut at the age of seven following an introduction to the sport through a demonstration at his school. The passionate young athlete quickly embraced the sport and has worked tirelessly to refine his skills on the court. The native of Regina, Saskatchewan has been a mainstay on his provincial […] Read more

Adel Akhmed

May 08, 2017 – Biography Akhmed discovered wheelchair basketball in 2013 and immediately fell in love with the sport. He joined a local club and dedicated himself to improving his skills on the court aiming to one day be a part of the national team. His hard work and dedication paid off as Akhmed has shown tremendous development in […] Read more

Benjamin Hagkull

May 08, 2017 – Biography Hagkull discovered wheelchair basketball in 2006 when looking for a new challenge he found himself drawn to the competitive nature and fast pace of the game. His experience competing in triathlons translated easily to the courts where he uses his speed to provide a challenge to defenders while he looks for fast breaks. Hagkull […] Read more

Tanner Jung

May 08, 2017 – Biography Jung made his wheelchair basketball debut in 2012 following an introduction to the sport by his physiotherapist. The young athlete took quickly to the sport and his passion for the game continues to flourish to this day. The Langley native thrives in the team atmosphere of wheelchair basketball. He began his career with his […] Read more

Lee Melymick

May 08, 2017 – Biography Lee Melymick turned to wheelchair basketball after an injury in 2015. As a natural competitor, he immediately embraced the game and its aggressive style of play. Melymick began playing locally with Variety Village in Toronto and has progressed quickly in the sport, representing the club at the 2017 Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League National Championship. […] Read more

Jason Conrad Naval

Mar 23, 2017 – Jason Conrad Naval was first introduced to wheelchair basketball on a visit to Variety Village. The teamwork drew him to the sport and now he aims to play at a high level. Jason comes to wheelchair basketball with an impressive background in high performance sport. He is a two-time Parapan Am Games bronze medalist in sitting […] Read more

Lisa Franks

Nov 06, 2015 – Biography Sports have always been a part of Lisa Franks’ life. A very rare condition, arteriovenous malformation that caused paralysis from her waist down, did not change her ambition of wanting to become a great athlete. Before competing in wheelchair basketball, she was a Paralympic wheelchair racer. In racing, she won two gold medals at […] Read more

Ben Moronchuk

Aug 28, 2015 – Biography Ben Moronchuk was first introduced to wheelchair basketball in 2010 after an injury prompted family friend and world-class player Danielle Peers to recommend it. He fell in love with the sport after witnessing the speed of the game and getting to know the great wheelchair basketball community. Since taking to the courts the Edmonton […] Read more

Alexandre Hayward

Aug 28, 2015 – Biography Alexandre Hayward began his wheelchair basketball journey after first discovering the sport in 2012 at a parasport demonstration in Moncton, N.B. It was there that Hayward met former Team Canada veteran and local parasport hero Dave Durepos, who would introduce the teen to the hardcourt. After being recruited by Durepos, Hayward joined the local […] Read more
Dave Durepos

Dave Durepos

Jun 05, 2015 – Biography Dave Durepos is a three-time Paralympic gold medallist and a World Champion in wheelchair basketball. Since joining the national team in 1994, he has earned numerous medals and individual accolades while developing a reputation as one of the best outside shooters in the world. A former standup basketball player, Durepos discovered wheelchair sports after […] Read more

Richard Peter

Jun 05, 2015 – Biography Richard “Bear” Peter began playing wheelchair basketball at age 15 after a team came to his school and introduced him to wheelchair sports.  He has been using a wheelchair since being injured in a bus accident at four years old. Peter became a staple of Team Canada since first making the Senior Men’s National […] Read more
Joey Johnson

Joey Johnson

Jun 04, 2015 – Biography Joey Johnson is considered one of the best power players in the world. He is renowned for his intensity and toughness in the paint and he knows how to generate plays by creating space for himself and his teammates. At age eight, Johnson was diagnosed with a degenerative hip disease and he began playing […] Read more
Amanda Yan

Amanda Yan

Jun 04, 2015 – Biography Amanda Yan is a rising star on the basketball court. Since first taking up the sport in 2011, the evolution of her wheelchair basketball game has been swift. She was initially recruited to play in a local recreational league by coaches Joe Higgins and Marni-Abbott Peter. After earning most improved player honours in her […] Read more

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