The Miami HEAT Wheels are hoping to make history again as they head to a big tournament in Louisville, Kentucky.
The team made history back in 2015, winning their first-ever division three title in the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.
“We need to bring that championship back to Miami,” said Miami HEAT Wheels player Jackson David.
David joined this team five years ago. Like the other dozen players, he is confined to his wheelchair. Some of his teammates have cerebral palsy or amputated legs. David is in a wheelchair as a result of a gunshot wound 18 years ago in Haiti.
“I'm happy that I found this team to make me feel like there's something I can do and this is playing basketball,” said David.
The Miami HEAT Wheels make it look easy, but wheelchair basketball takes an incredible amount of coordination and upper body strength.
“For you to be pushing the chair, bouncing the ball, and go back and forth,” explained David.
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Friday at the Gwen Cherry Park gym in Liberty City, there was a mix of cheering, hooping and a whole lot of dancing. It was a fitting pep rally before the big tournament send off. But, for Coach Parnes Cartwright, it's about sending a positive message to the everyone in the stands and at home.
“I'm hoping that this speaks to that person that may have a disability that thinks that they can only sit home or maybe not do what they see able bodied people do,” said Coach Cartwright.
It’s a message of motivation to continue pushing.
“We don't let our disabilities stop us,” said David.
The Miami HEAT Wheels is part of Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s Disability Services Division. Click here to learn more about the program.
