Joe Thorn was a prototypical role playing, power forward who helped define that position for over 30 years. His career began in the 70’s in Orange County, Ca where, under the tutelage of the late great Hall of Fame coach and player Ed Owen, Joe learned the fundamentals and understood the concept of team play. His priorities, as a player, were defense, rebounding, pick and rolling and free throws. But Joe could score when called upon. In 1978, the Cinderella team of the NWBT was the Capitol Cagers led by Hall of Fame guard David Kiley. They faced off against Richmond led by Hall of Famer Tom Brown. When Kiley got into foul trouble, Thorn took over the game and recorded one of the most complete games in NWBT history. Joe had 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots. The upstart Cagers fell short in their quest for a national championship as they were beaten by a veteran Music City team.

In 1980, Thorn and Kiley would then join forces with Hall of Famers’ center Curtis Bell and forward Al Campos and form the Casa Colina Condors(Pomona, CA)  The 1980 Condors were undefeated as were the Detroit Sparks who were ranked 1st in the nation. To test themselves, the Condors travelled to Detroit for a two game series against the Sparks coached by legendary Bud Rumple and a team of 6 future Hall of Famers. The Condors won the first game by 11. But it was the 2nd game that would manifest into the greatest game ever played. Coach Rumple made between game adjustments and the Pistons came out firing. With 0:54 left on the clock, the Pistons had a 9-point lead. Campos made a couple of steals and scored …then Bell was fouled and along with a bench technical the Condors trailed by 1 with the ball and 0:10 left on the clock. Kiley shot the ball and it was rebounded by Thorn who put a shot up and was fouled. With 0.1 left on the clock, Thorn calmly sank both free throws for a Condor 1-point victory, in what was deemed the greatest comeback in NWBA History.  Thorn would then anchor the Condors as they would win their 1st of several National Championships.

Joe Thorn contributed to the development of the game by respecting the game and learning Ed Owen’s greatest gift and that was to develop any and all wheelchair basketball players who wanted to learn to play better. Joe played out his career in Las Vegas, where he both played and coached and led the LasVegas Yuccas to a Div. II National Championship, In all Joe was a member of 3 National Championship Teams. His teammate Mike Schlappi likened Joe Thorn to NBA great Tim Duncan who is called the “Big Fundamental” Hall of Fame guard Schlappi said, “Joe Thorn is the Rolling Fundamental” of wheelchair basketball. Joe’s outstanding basketball skills on the court, longevity as an active player at a high level, his tremendous contribution to national championship teams, and his commitment to developing wheelchair basketball players uniquely qualifies Joe for the NWBA’s highest honor.