Michael Paye is the current co-captain of the 2015 gold-medal U.S. Parapan Am Games team and a two-time Paralympian having represented the U.S. in 2004 and 2008.  At the Parapan American Games this past summer he was the top scorer at the gold-medal game contributing 14 points for Team USA’s win over Canada, 62-39. He aims to make the U.S. Paralympic team in 2016.  

Name:                   Michael Paye    
Classification:     3.0
Height:                 5’3”
Date of Birth:       March 24, 1983
Place of Birth:     Gross Pointe, Michigan
Hometown:          Warren, Michigan
Residence:          Giessen, Germany
High School:       Cousino High Scool. Warren, Michigan
College:               University of Texas, Arlington
Major:                  Criminology and a minor in Psychology.
 

Career Highlights:     
2015, Parapan Am Games, gold medal, Toronto, Canada; 2014, World Wheelchair Basketball Championships, silver medal; 2010: Bronze medal – IWBF Gold Cup, Birmingham, England; 2008: U.S. Paralympic Team member; 2008: First place - North American Cup, Birmingham, Ala.; 2008: Deutschmeiser Cup Winner; 2008: Silver medal - Champions Euro Cup, Madrid, Spain; 2007: Gold medal - Parapan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2007: Deutschmeister Cup and Pokal Cup Winners; 2006: Silver medal, All-World Team - IWBF Gold Cup World Championships, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 2006: NWBA Collegiate Division Player of the Year; 2005-06: NWBA Collegiate Division National Championship, University of Texas-Arlington; 2004: Member of U .S. Paralympic Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team; 2003-2004: NWBA Collegiate Division First Team All-American; 2002-2003: NWBA Collegiate Division Second Team All-American; 2001-02: NWBA Collegiate Division National Championship

Competition Wheelchair:  Paul Schulte Invacare basketball chair

Personal Background: Mike and Karen Paye are his parents, and he has a brother, Bryan, and sister, Kim. Michael is married to Lena.  

Hobbies: Being with friends, watching football and other sporting events, working out and traveling.

Q&A with Michael:

NWBA:  Who is your hero?
Michael:  My parents are my heroes for always supporting me and telling me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy.

NWBA:  When did you start playing wheelchair basketball? 
Michael:  I started when I was in second grade and I believe I was 10 years old or about to be turn 10. Playing sports all became possible when I got my first wheelchair.

NWBA: Do you play any other sports? Did you receive any awards from other sports?
Michael:  I played all kinds of sports growing up. Mostly all with friends as I wasn’t allowed to play on city and school teams because of my chair. Also an additional reason why my parents are my heroes because they never stopped asking if I could participate.

NWBA: What is your profession?
Michael: I am lucky and can call myself a professional wheelchair basketball player.

NWBA: Do you play or have you ever played on an overseas wheelchair basketball team?
Michael:  I am currently playing my 10th straight season with RSV Lahndill. I moved straight from UTA to here in August of 2006 directly after World Championships.

NWBA: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Michael:  I don’t really have any superstitions and pre game. I’m normally just getting mentally ready.

NWBA: Why do you play wheelchair basketball?
Michael:  I think I have continued because I have always enjoyed the team aspect. I truly have made some of my best friends from all over the world because of this great sport.

NWBA: What is your favorite basketball moment?
Michael: The game has been very good to me. The most recent and special moment was (the 2015) Parapan Am games in Toronto. My father was there and got to see me play for the first time with a USA jersey on. In fact I had lots of family there which was so fun. It really felt like I was playing at home because Detroit to Toronto is only about a 4 hour drive.

NWBA: Do you follow NBA or College Basketball, or any other teams?  If so which are your favorite teams?
Michael: I do not follow so much basketball. I am a big football fan and am a hometown fan. University of Michigan has always been my team and I have heard about that from so many teammates and coaches over all the years.

NWBA: Thanksgiving just passed and I heard it is your favorite holiday.  How do you maintain the tradition living abroad?  
Michael: Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday of mine. I do miss spending them in the USA with my family in Michigan or my friends/team in Texas. However, I have celebrated Thanksgiving every year except my first season at Lena's parents’ house. We always do it on a Sunday here and even have some football on since the NFL kickoff is at 7pm on Sundays in Germany.

NWBA: What is a short term goal?  
Michael: My short term goal is to make the USA team in the next tryout.

NWBA:  What are your long term goals?
Michael: Long term is based on my club season and trying to win the German Cups.