Second annual youth wheelchair basketball clinic in Queens

KEW GARDENS, Queens (PIX11) — A wheelchair basketball clinic in Queens recently empowered young adaptive athletes with custom-fit sports wheelchairs, providing them with an unforgettable day of basketball and mentorship.

The event, hosted by The Hartford in partnership with CUNY’s Adaptive Sports Program, brought together youth athletes for a clinic featuring World Champion Wheelchair Basketball Player Matt Scott. In a surprise moment, the participants were gifted custom-fit sport wheelchairs, each valued at around $6,000.

Mia Emory, a 19-year-old athlete with spina bifida, was among the lucky recipients. She expressed her excitement, saying, “Having equipment that fits you really well is really amazing for an athlete”. For Mia and others like her, these specialized wheelchairs remove a significant barrier to participation in adaptive sports.

The clinic also featured special guests, including New York Knicks legend John Starks, who joined Matt Scott in inspiring the young players.

Adaptive sports equipment often comes with a hefty price tag, costing approximately 15 times more than equipment for non-adaptive athletes. The Hartford’s initiative aims to address this issue and make adaptive sports more accessible.

Matt Scott emphasized the long-term impact of such donations: “This impact goes on generations. This level of impact from the Hartford is so huge in our community and this helps get them started to go from participants to maybe be Paralympians”.

The event was part of The Hartford’s larger commitment to adaptive sports. Over the past six years, The Hartford, has gifted more than 6,000 pieces of adaptive sports equipment. For more information visit www.TheHartford.com .

Watch the video player for the full interview.

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