COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. - The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) held an Initial Try-Out Camp for the 2025 U.S.A 3x3 Men’s and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball teams that will compete at the upcoming 2025 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games (WUG). The camp was held Jan. 9-12 in Charlotte, NC at the U.S. Performance Center.
The 2025 WUG will be held in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, from July 16-27; the games for wheelchair basketball will occur from July 17 to July 20.
Below is a list of athletes that took part in the Try-Out Camp:
Men
Name | Current Team |
Alex Forstner | Charlotte Rollin' Hornets |
Steven Pflughaupt | Turnstone Flyers |
Jack Pierre | Auburn University |
Joe Rafter | Auburn University |
Nuri Abdus-Salaam | MedsStar NRH Punishers |
Dylan Thompson | U-Wisconsin Whitewater |
Women
Name | Current Team |
Elizabeth Becker | Santo Stefano Kos Group |
Madelyn Edwards | Tulsa Twisters |
Hannah Exline | University of Texas-Arlington |
Anesia Glascoe | City University of New York (CUNY) |
Isabella Johnson | University of Arizona |
Zoie Larson | City University of New York (CUNY) |
Marlee Wagstaff | LWSRA Hawks & Utah Wheelin' Jazz |
Mary Wagstaff | University of Illinois |
Ryan Martin is the Director of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNY) Adaptive Sports Program and the head coach for both the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams. A pioneer in adaptive sports, he played a pivotal role in introducing adaptive sports programming to New York City colleges and establishing CUNY's first-ever adaptive sports team. Widely respected for his philanthropic contributions, Martin is the founder and driving force behind The Ryan Martin Foundation. His expertise has also led him to collaborate with numerous colleges to develop adaptive sports programs. Furthermore, Martin has held the position of Interim President of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA).
Abby Dunkin was a key contributor to Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. During her collegiate career at the University of Texas at Arlington, she earned two NWBA National Championships. She also played an integral role in Team USA’s gold-medal victory at the 2015 Parapan American Games and earned a silver medal at the 2019 edition of the event. Currently, Dunkin competes with the Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets in the NWBA Women’s Division and serves as part of the coaching staff for their varsity program. In addition, she holds the position of General Paralympic Alternate Representative on the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.
Adam Lindsay serves as the Program Director and head coach of the Utah Rush in the NWBA’s Junior Division, where he also holds a position on the executive committee. With extensive leadership experience, he previously served as Team Leader for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2015 Kitakyushu Champions Cup in Kitakyushu, Japan. Outside of his contributions to adaptive sports, Lindsay is the CEO and part-owner of Alpha Transport, Inc.
As per FISU rules, the application will remain open for athletes. The deadline to submit an application is March 1.
Submitting an application is REQUIRED to be considered for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball teams that will complete at the 2025 WUG. The final rosters for the 2025 WUG will include four athletes for the women’s team and four athletes for the men’s team.
A second Selection Camp will be held to select the final team May 15-18 at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.
Participants who attended the first camp will not incur any additional costs to take part in the second camp in Colorado Springs.
Individuals who did not attend the initial Try-Out Camp will be responsible for arranging and covering their own travel and transportation to and from Colorado Springs in May.
Participation on the final rosters for the 2025 World University Games is a “Pay-to-Play" opportunity. The cost is now projected to be approximately $3,500-$4,000 (the final cost will be provided to athletes chosen for the team, prior to their acceptance). The payment will be collected by the NWBA to help cover the following expenses while participating as a member of this United States Team/program; Team USA Apparel Package, Airfare, Ground Transportation, Lodging, Meals, and Event Fees.
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