The National Wheelchair Basketball Association have announced the 2018 USA men’s team to compete at the 2018 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, in Hamburg, Germany this August.
Following a four-day selection camp at the Olympic Training Centre, May 23-26, the 2018 USA team was announced, and it sees the inclusion of 10 athletes from the 2016 Paralympic Games gold-medal team.
2016 co-captains Steve Serio and Mike Paye return. Serio, a three-time Paralympian (2008, 2012, 2016) has earned two consecutive Paralympic medals (2012 bronze, 2016 gold). Paye is also a three-time Paralympian (2004, 2008, 2016).
Matt Scott, who has been ever-present since the Athens Paralympics, and has earned two Paralympic medals (2012 and 2016) is included alongside two-time Paralympic medallist Ian Lynch.
Two-time Paralympic medallists Nate Hinze and Trevon Jenifer come back into the team after taking a year off following the Rio 2016 Games.
The other returning four members of the 2016 gold-medal team are Brian Bell, Jared Arambula, Aaron Gouge, and Jake Williams, all looking to better the silver medal they won in the 2014 World Championships.
Also joining the Paralympians and making their World Championships debut will be John Boie and Jorge Sanchez. Sanchez was a member of the 2013 and 2017 America’s Qualifier teams. Boie brings experience from the perennial collegiate powerhouse of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
USA Men’s Head Coach, Ron Lykins said, “I have been excited with the focus and intensity of the athletes over the last four days, and the final selections were not easy. The final group of athletes position us for success, and it is very promising to see how this team prepares in the next couple of months for Germany. The athletes who were not selected show a lot of promise to lead Team USA in the future.”
Lykins has coached three USA Paralympic gold-medal teams (2004 women; 2008 women; 2016 men). Joining him on the sidelines will be assistant coaches Robb Taylor and John Sikora. Scott Meyer will be the team leader, with Mary Vacala, serving as the Athletic Trainer, and the Team Physician is Dr. Gloria Beim.
Click here for more information about the 2018 World Championships.
