"The Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball" - Paraolypmic basketball has their own GOAT, and his name is Patrick Anderson

There's a good chance that even the most avid sports fans have never heard about wheelchair basketball. As it turns out, it is a legitimate sport, and in fact, wheelchair basketball has already entered the most prestigious international stages, primarily FIBA and the Paralympic Games.

Like regular hoops, wheelchair basketball also has its GOAT . Recently, the man who has held the coveted title is Canada's Patrick Anderson, also known as "The Michael Jordan" of the Paralympics.

"He has been called the Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball, which says a lot about his talent, work ethic, and achievements," Kady Dandeneau, who plays on Canada's national women's wheelchair basketball team, told CBC Canada in 2019. "The guy can shoot the lights out. He's got a ton of speed. He's just an all-around amazing player."

Patrick's impressive basketball resume

Anderson lost both of his legs after getting hit by a truck when he was nine years old. Nevertheless, the lifelong disability did nothing to waver his passion for sports, and it did not take long for Pat to find a new lease on life in wheelchair basketball.

Anderson's unique blend of skills and competitive spirit earned him a wheelchair basketball scholarship to the University of Illinois and helped him make the Canadian National Team in 1997.

The following year, Patrick led Canada to a bronze medal. He was named one of the first All-Star players of the Canadian Senior Men's National Team. Like Jordan , Anderson's career swiftly blossomed, and he gained international popularity in the sport for helping Canada win the Paralympic gold medal in 2000, 2004, and silver in 2008.

He also played wheelchair basketball in several countries overseas. In 2003, he was crowned as the MVP of the Australian National Wheelchair Basketball League.

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MJ once played wheelchair basketball

Largely regarded as the greatest wheelchair basketball player in the world, Anderson somewhat knew how it felt to be like Mike. Apparently, the feeling was mutual because Jordan once famously made a paraplegic kid's wish come true by playing basketball with him in a wheelchair .

"I thought it would be easy. It wasn't… It made me praise him a lot for having the determination to keep hold of those dreams of playing basketball… I don't feel above those people when I do those things. It really brings me down to earth," the Chicago Bulls star said at the time.

Indeed, the parallels between Anderson and Jordan were evident. Apart from being known for their basketball legacy and off-the-court charisma, they inspire others to pursue their dreams and let nothing stop them from doing it.

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