Josh Brown
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 confined to a day chair, it took Brown a “long time to learn how to compete with athletes who had been training with a chair their whole careers.
Before joining the National Academy program, Brown represented Manitoba in the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League, Canada Games, and Junior National Championship events.
In 2018, Brown got invited to train at the national academy in Scarborough, Ont. where he’s been training the last three years and aims to compete on the senior national team level.
“I still have not yet made the national team but I am hoping to make the team for the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” said Brown.
Brown now calls Scarborough home with an intense focus on competing with Team Canada.
“To represent Team Canada means a lot to me. Throughout the past four years, I have adjusted my life around the sport. Trying to make team Canada is the main focus for me for the next part of my life and I could not be more excited to battle for the spot to better myself, my teammates and the whole program.”
Follow Brown’s journey on Instagram at @joshua.brown33
Interesting Facts
- Was part of Winnipeg Youth Chorus choir, sang at Lincoln centre in New York
- Played sledge hockey in Manitoba, went to nationals with Team Manitoba
- Finished Full Manitoba Marathon with a basketball chair
- Attends Southwest Minnesota State University
Awards / Highlights
- Part of Toronto Rollin’ Raptors team that became first from Canada to win NWBA Adult Division II National Championship (2019)
Competitive Experience
| Level | Team | Location | Year(s) |
| International | Canada (JMNT) | Canada | 2018-Present |
| Club (domestic) | Toronto Rollin’ Raptors | Ontario | 2018-Present |
Career Notes
2019: 1st place at NWBA Finals (Div 2) with the Toronto Rollin’ Raptors in Tallmadge, OH (domestic)… 3rd place at the 16th Kitakyushu Champions cup in Fukuoka, Japan (Team Canada)… 7th place at Canada Games with Team Manitoba in Red Deer, Alta.
2018: 3rd place at the CWBL National Championship (Tier 2) with Team Manitoba in Martensville, Sask.
2015: 9th place at Canada Games with Team Manitoba in Prince George, B.C.