The top wheelchair basketball teams in the east converge on Hackensack, New Jersey to battle the United Spinal Association Nets for the 11th Annual Al Youakim Wheelchair Basketball Invitational Tournament championship title. The event will take place on Saturday, November 5th, from 10am–4:15 pm; and Sunday, November 6th, from 10 am–1 pm. at Hackensack High School in Hackensack, NJ. The 2-day tournament, which is co-sponsored by United Spinal Association and the New Jersey Nets, pays tribute to legendary United Spinal Nets Coach Al Youakim, a pioneer of wheelchair basketball and a leading advocate for athletes with disabilities. Other teams featured at this year’s tournament include the NY Rolling Knicks, Magee Sixers, and the NEPVA Celtics, which are all co-sponsored by their respective NBA teams. The United Spinal Nets look to regain the title which was awarded last year to the Magee Sixers, who were undefeated.

During the weekend of the tournament, the United Spinal Association will be hosting a ceremony to award Youakim with its 1st annual Al Youakim Community Service Award in recognition of his 60 years of loyal dedication, leadership, and service on behalf of our Nation’s veterans and all Americans with disabilities.

Throughout the year, the United Spinal Nets offer clinics to help introduce wheelchair basketball to children with disabilities and, during the season, the team participates in six exhibitions during halftime at New Jersey Nets games at the Continental Airlines Arena. The team also travels across the United States to compete in tournaments. Several Nets players have recently been honored for their outstanding performance: Patrick Donaghey, United Spinal Nets point guard, Class II participated in the 2005 WEB All-Star team and Inter-Conference All-Star game; Denton Johnson, United Spinal Nets power forward, Class III was chosen to play in the Eastern Wheelchair Basketball Conference; and Anthony Hage, United Spinal Nets forward won the Rookie of the Year award. The Association also sponsors the United Spinal Jr. Nets Wheelchair Basketball Team, which offers youths under the age of 18 the opportunity to compete against other youth wheelchair basketball teams throughout the country. In 2004, the Jr. Nets were crowned the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Prep Junior Champions and finished the season undefeated. They have successfully competed in tournaments in Baltimore, Alabama, and Minnesota.

MORE ABOUT WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL: Wheelchair basketball is governed by the same rules as NCAA basketball, but with several exceptions. There is a four-second lane violation for offensive players instead of the standard three seconds. Also, players are assigned classifications according to the severity of their disability. Players with the greatest amount of mobility are assigned “Class III,” while players with the least mobility are graded “Class I.” Teams may not have more than 12 classification points on the court at any one time. Anyone with a disability that prevents him or her from playing traditional basketball is eligible to play wheelchair basketball. Common disabilities include spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and amputations.

United Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease by assuring quality health care, promoting research, advocating for civil rights and independence, educating the public about these issues and enlisting its help to achieve these fundamental goals. Guided by the belief that the benefits of athletic competition are no different for athletes with disabilities than for able-bodied athletes, the Association sponsors a wide variety of wheelchair recreational and adaptive sports programs. For more information call our toll free number at 800-404-1908.