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Parapan American Games Final Roster Selected for 2023 USA Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team

By NWBA and High Performance Selection Committee, 09/09/23, 6:40PM CDT

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COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. - The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) and the High Performance Selection Committee have announced the final roster of the U.S.A Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team for the 2023 Parapan American Games (PPAG). This selection was made at the conclusion of the 2023 USA Men’s Selection Camp hosted September 7-9 at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.   
 
At the conclusion of the selection camp the U.S. Men's Head Coach, Robb Taylor, shared his thoughts “My staff and I are very pleased with the effort put forth by all 16 athletes at camp battling to be selected to the final roster. We are fortunate to have such a strong group of athletes to consider for the roster, which made final selections very difficult.” Taylor shared his thoughts on the final roster, “The work will continue for our team as we prepare for Parapan American Games in November. We are hyper focused on our performance at Parapans knowing we can secure a spot at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.” 
 
The final roster includes 10 athletes from the gold medal winning U.S. Men’s team from the 2022 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) World Championships that was held on June 9-20, 2023, in Dubai, United Emirates. The squad also includes six athletes from the gold medal winning U.S. Men’s team from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.    
 
The final team roster will represent Team USA at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile on November 17-26. Team USA is slated to compete in ‘Group B’ of the men’s competition.  
 
Steve Serio (Westbury, NY) makes the final roster after helping the squad capture its first gold medal since 2002 at the IWBF World Championships in Dubai. One of the most recognizable players in the sport, Serio brings a cache like no other, having made four Paralympic appearances and boasting a trophy case that features three Paralympic medals (2012 bronze, 2016 gold, 2020 gold) and an ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability in 2017. Serio seeks to earn a roster spot for a chance at a third podium finish at the Parapan American Games after earning gold in 2011, 2015 and 2019. In addition, he is a five-time medalist at Worlds (2022 gold, 2018 silver, 2014 silver, 2010 bronze, 2006 silver).  
 
Brian Bell (Birmingham, AL) rejoins the U.S. Men roster after winning gold at the 2022 IWBF World Championships, dropping a team-high 18 points in the medal-clinching victory. Bell’s resume speaks for itself, having been a member of the last two U.S. Men’s teams that won gold medals at the Paralympics (2020 and 2016). In addition to his Paralympic accolades, Bell looks to have the opportunity for another podium finish at the Parapan American Games after collecting gold medals in 2015 and 2019. Bell is also a three-time medalist at Worlds (2022 gold, 2018 silver, 2014 silver) in addition to a 2023 NWBA Division I National Championship with the Golden State Road Warriors.  
 
Trevon Jenifer (Huntington, MD) returns to Team USA on the heels of claiming gold at the 2022 IWBF World Championships. Jenifer’s trophy case also includes three Paralympic medals (2012 bronze, 2016 gold, 2020 gold). Jenifer aims to return to the podium at the Parapan Games after being a part of the 2011, 2015 and 2019 gold medal squads. Jenifer is a three-time medalist at Worlds, also claiming a silver medal at both the 2014 and 2018 events.  

Jake Williams (Milwaukee, WI) makes the final roster after helping Team USA win a gold medal at the 2022 IWBF World Championships, averaging a team-best 15.7 points per contest. Williams is a two-time Paralympic medalist, claiming gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics. In addition, he captured a silver medal at the 2018 World Championships. Williams looks to return to the podium at the Parapan Games after winning a gold medal in Lima in 2019. A University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Alum, Williams returned to his alma mater to serve as head coach this past season.  

Jorge Sanchez (Oakland, CA) rejoins the team adding to his recent gold at the 2022 World Championships. Sanchez made his Paralympic debut in 2020, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. Sanchez also earned a silver medal at the 2018 IWBF World Championships, while securing gold at the 2017 IWBF Americas Cup and 2019 Parapan American Games. Also recently, Sanchez helped the Golden State Road Warriors secure the 2023 NWBA Division I National Championship.  
 
John Boie (Milton, WI) continues his 2023 campaign looking to produce a third consecutive gold medal performance, having earned a gold medal at the 2022 Americas Cup and 2022 IWBF World Championships. Boie had a successful Paralympic debut in 2020, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. No shortage of accolades, Boie also earned a silver medal at the 2018 IWBF World Championships, while securing gold at the 2017 IWBF Americas Cup and 2019 Parapan American Games.  
Jorge Salazar (Delano, CA) rejoins Team USA lineup after earning gold medals at the 2022 IWBF Americas Cup and World Championships. Salazar was first named to Team USA when he was a member of the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team that captured gold at the 2017 IWBF Americas Cup and was named an alternate for U.S. Men’s squads in 2019 and 2020. Salazar is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal that has been awarded the Bronze Star and is a Purple Heart recipient.  

Fabian Romo (Chicago, IL) is selected to his fifth Team USA roster after representing the U.S. at the 2022 IWBF World Championships, where he helped the team win a gold medal. Romo was also a contributing member of the U.S. Men’s squad that claimed gold at the 2022 Americas Cup. In addition to being an alternate for the U.S. Men’s roster in 2020, Romo earned his first Team USA experience in 2017 at the IWBF Under 23 (U23) America’s Zonal Qualifier and IWBF U23 World Championships.  

Talen Jourdan (Deerfield, WI) earns a spot on the national team after contributing to a gold-medal performance at the 2022 World Championships. Jourdan was also a contributing member of the U.S. Men’s teams that produced a pair of gold medal finishes at the 2022 Americas Cup and the U.S. U23 Men’s team at the IWBF U23 American's Zonal Qualifier in March 2022.   

Jeromie Meyer (Woodbine, IA) makes the final roster, signaling his fifth Team USA squad. He was a member of the U.S. Men’s teams that secured gold medals at the 2022 World Championships and Americas Cup. Meyer earned his first national team roster spots at the IWBF U23 America’s Zonal Qualifier and IWBF U23 World Championships in 2017.  
 
AJ Fitzpatrick (Cedar Rapids, IA) makes his first-ever U.S. Men’s squad. Fitzpatrick just wrapped up his freshman campaign at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, landing a spot on the Intercollegiate Division All-Rookie Team.  
 
Peter Berry (Houston, TX) is set to make his fourth U.S. roster. Berry was a member of both U.S. Men's U23 teams in 2022. Berry was also a member of the gold medal winning U.S. Men's Senior National Team at the 2022 IWBF Americas Cup in Brazil. Collegiately Berry plays at the University of Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2023 while also earning Second Team All-American laurels. 
 
The following athletes have been named as alternates: Ryan Neiswender (Lebanon, PA), Ben Thornton (Santa Rose, CA), Derrick Bisnett (Iowa City, IA) and Luke Robinson (Everett, WA)

Joining Head Coach Robb Taylor on the sidelines will be:  

  • Assistant Coach Scott Meyer of Columbia, Missouri 

  • Assistant Coach Michael Paye of Warren, Michigan   

  • Assistant Coach Christian Burkett of Seattle, Washington  

  • Team Leader Tony Frescas of Omaha, Nebraska   

  • Athletic Trainer Jeremy Johnson of Dothan, Alabama   

    Assisting in preparations as part of the extended staff are:   

  • Strength and Conditioning Coach Katie McClosky of Houston, Texas   

  • Sports Dietitian Marta Scechura of Chicago, Illinois   

  • Sport Psychologist Adam O’Neil of Boulder, Colorado  

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