Wheelchair Basketball

You do not need to be an everyday wheelchair user to play wheelchair sports. Please ask the Sport Specialist for more information. 

Wheelchair basketball teams begin for children at six years old and continue through adulthood. All teams are co-ed. Players must have a disability that affects their lower extremities which can include, but is not limited to, amputation, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and leg length discrepancy among other conditions. All players must meet minimum disability criteria and be classifiable under the sport classification rules, governed by the NWBA. 

Courage Kenny Wheelchair Basketball program hosts several teams: 

Youth (ages 5-18): 

• Development Team, Rolling Rascals 101 (non-competitive) 

• Prep, Junior Rolling Rowdies 

• Junior varsity, Junior Rolling Gophers 

• Varsity, Junior Rolling Timberwolves 

Adults: (age 18+) 

• Adult – Division I, Rolling Timberwolves 

• Adult – Division II, Rolling Timberwolves  

Each team varies in terms of play level, travel commitment, competitiveness, and other factors. Tryouts may be necessary based on the team's requirements. Athletes are assigned to a team based on their age and skill level. The Sport Specialist is available to assist in selecting the most suitable team for you. For additional details about our youth teams, click this link. 

Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute wheelchair basketball programs are nationally renowned for having developed college-level, US national team and Paralympic athletes. Many of our athletes have been awarded college wheelchair basketball scholarships and our teams have won several National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) championships. 

To reduce barriers and increase access to sports we provide adaptive equipment, scholarships, and skilled volunteers. To help keep our registration fees low, athletes are invited to participate in our annual fundraiser, Team up for Wheelchair Basketball. 

We also host the annual Courage Kenny Classic Wheelchair Basketball tournament where teams from around the country come to compete at the beginning of the season. 

Equipment Loans 

The only equipment needed is a sports wheelchair. Athletes do not need to use a wheelchair for everyday mobility in order to play. As part of the program, we provide specialized sports wheelchairs so you can fully participate in a season. 

Benefits of Wheelchair Basketball 
Wheelchair Basketball offers several physical and psychological advantages. Physically, it can improve muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness while decreasing the prevalence of chronic physical disorders. From a psychological standpoint, Wheelchair Basketball has been shown to alleviate anxiety and feelings of depression while also creating and improving social relationships. 

Click on the link here: To View Research benefits of Wheelchair basketball. 

To Participate 

We would love to chat with you! Please reach out to us so we can know you are interested and help you find the best team to fit your goals. 

Volunteer information 

Share your skills and your love of sports with our programs by volunteering All of our wheelchair basketball teams are led by talented and experienced volunteer coaches. If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team or learning more, contact us at CKRIVolunteerService@allina.com at 612-775-2728. 

• National Wheelchair Basketball Association
• Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball
• Classification in wheelchair basketball
• CKRI Youth Wheelchair Basketball Options_2024_25.pdf