17th annual NBA/NWBA All-Star Wheelchair Classic returns to New York City on Feb. 12
NEW YORK – Returning to New York City for the first time since the event’s inception, the 19 best basketball players from the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) will participate in the 17th annual NBA/NWBA All-Star Wheelchair Classic at NBA All-Star 2015. The East and West Wheelchair All-Stars will face off at the Steinberg Wellness Center at LIU Brooklyn on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 12:30 p.m. ET. NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo, Hall of Famers George Gervin and Robert Parish, NBA Cares Ambassador Ruth Riley and San Antonio Stars Center Jayne Appel will serve as honorary coaches.
A tradition that began at NBA All-Star 1998 in Manhattan, the 2015 NBA/NWBA All-Star Wheelchair Classic will feature the top athletes from NBA-affiliated NWBA teams. The players, selected by the NWBA, are divided into two teams with the East All-Stars coached by Gerry Fleming and the West All-Stars coached by Paul Jackson.
”We are very proud of our 17-year affiliation with the NBA, beginning with Commissioner Stern and continuing with Commissioner Silver,” said NWBA Executive Director Randy Schubert. “We are grateful that our players from around North America have this opportunity to go out on the court and demonstrate their skills and ability in the sport of basketball. We believe both the NBA players as well as the fans in the stands will truly appreciate the power of sports through wheelchair basketball.”
| NWBA West All-Star Team Danny Fik – Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks
Chuck Gill – Golden State Road Warriors Marcus Oden – Golden State Road Warriors Master Hinkle – Courage Center Rolling Timberwolves Mark Braun – Courage Center Rolling Timberwolves Ryan Wright – Denver Rolling Nuggets Jermell Pennie – Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks Andrew Reilly – Phoenix Banner Wheelchair Suns Tyrone Griner – Phoenix Banner Wheelchair Suns Coaches: Head Coach Paul Jackson – Golden State Road Warriors
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NWBA East All-Star TeamDavid Eng – New York Rolling Knicks
Curtis Lease – Chicago Wheelchair Bulls Kevin Grant – New York Rolling Knicks David Deas – Brooklyn Nets Mark James – Bulova Nets Darron Lewis – Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers Jeremie Thomas – Miami Heat Wheels Adam Lancia – Toronto Raptors Steve Yedlock – Bulova Nets Andre Kelly – Magee Sixers Spokesman Coaches: Head Coach Gerry Fleming – New York Rolling Knicks Asst. Coach Eddie Lopez – New York Rolling Knicks |
The National Wheelchair Basketball Association is comprised of more than 200 basketball teams within 22 conferences across the country. The NWBA was founded in 1948, and today consists of men’s, women’s, intercollegiate and youth teams throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on the NWBA, please go to www.nwba.org.