United Spinal Hoops Ace Picked for NBA’s Wheelchair All-Star Game
Wheelchair basketball star Edy Lopez, a resident of Amityville, NY, has been selected to play in the 2006 NBA/National Wheelchair Basketball Association All-Star Classic on February 16th in Houston, Texas. The game, to be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, will take place in conjunction with the NBA’s All-Star Game 2006.
This is the fifth time, and the third consecutive year, that Lopez, who plays for the United Spinal Association Nets––a wheelchair basketball team co-sponsored by the New Jersey Nets and the Association––has been selected to play in the All-Star Classic. This year he’ll also be defending his 2005 Most Valuable Player title. The event showcases some of the elite wheelchair basketball players in the country and features more than 300,000 square feet of interactive basketball games, activities, and entertainment.
“I’m truly looking forward to having the chance to retain my MVP award” said Lopez. “And after some medical set backs in the past year, it‘s a total honor and blessing to able to represent the United Spinal Nets again this year.” Lopez underwent shoulder surgery this past April followed by knee surgery in July. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to recover my strength in enough time to play basketball at all this year, but here I am––six months after surgery––and I feel strong and I’m eager to get down to Houston and onto the court. I want to thank both the New Jersey Nets and the United Spinal Association for supporting and giving me this great opportunity.”
As a member of the Association, Lopez began playing wheelchair basketball in 1989 and competed in the inaugural NBA/NWBA All-Star game in 1998 in New York City. He is a 14-time Eastern Wheelchair Basketball Conference All-Star and a 10-time conference MVP. In 1995, he was invited to try-out for the National USA Wheelchair Basketball team. Lopez averages 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists per game. "He is a fierce competitor. He is one of the top competitors in the country," said Lopez’s coach, John Hamre.
Lopez is well-known, not only for his sportsmanship on the court but off the court as well. He has been a positive influence in his community, participating in the Association’s annual Multiple Sclerosis Clinic (photo available) and wheelchair basketball clinics for children with disabilities. In 2002, he was honored by the Queens Borough President and her Task Force on Persons with Disabilities for providing outstanding service to people with special needs. While in Houston, Lopez and the other All-Star players will also be hosting a wheelchair basketball clinic for disabled youths.
United Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with spinal cord disabilities 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. The Association sponsors a wide variety of wheelchair recreational and adaptive sports programs, guided by the belief that the benefits of athletic competition are no different for athletes with disabilities than for the able-bodied. For more information call our toll free number, 800-404-2898.