Team one of four in nation to participate in event on April 21-23

PHILADELPHIA – For Valdez Bradley, this is becoming a year to remember in terms of wheelchair basketball. Bradley, 26, competed in the National Wheelchair Basketball All-Star game held during NBA All-Star Weekend in Denver in February, and now he will join his Magee Sixers Spokesmen teammates as they conduct a wheelchair basketball clinic for children with disabilities in Puerto Rico on April 21-23.

The Magee Sixers Spokesmen are sponsored by Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and the Philadelphia 76ers. Bradley, who was left paralyzed following a gunshot wound when he was 18, is excited about the trip.

“This is an excellent opportunity to give back to the community,” says Bradley. “We’ll be able to show what we do and, hopefully, get the kids enthusiastic about the sport.”

Bradley, who has played wheelchair basketball for six years, including stints with the UTA Movin’ Mavs, the Michigan Thunderbirds and the Dallas Mavericks Division II team, says many people don’t initially realize how competitive the sport is.

“People underestimate what we do and how tough it really is,” says Bradley. “It is a contact sport and people do get hurt. Anytime we can demonstrate the game, people have a better appreciation for wheelchair basketball and the athletes who play the game.”

Wheelchair basketball is an exciting contact sport played on a regulation basketball court and uses NCAA rules with some exceptions. The major difference is that players may carry the ball instead of constantly dribbling it. However, they may not push their wheelchair more than two times in a row without dribbling the ball. Those who do so are called for traveling.

Magee supports the Sixers Spokesmen and other wheelchair sports teams through funds raised at its annual Night of Champions. This year’s event will be held Friday, May 13, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Worker’s Union Hall in South Philadelphia. Tickets start at $125 with sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, please call (215) 587-3090.

Magee Rehabilitation Hospital is the Philadelphia region’s largest provider of wheelchair sports, fielding teams in basketball, rugby, tennis and softball. Magee has teamed with professional sports franchises to form the Magee Sixers Spokesmen wheelchair basketball team, the Magee Eagles wheelchair rugby team, the Magee Phillies wheelchair softball team and the Magee Freedoms wheelchair tennis team. In addition, Magee is launching a power wheelchair soccer team. Teams are open to anyone in the community with a disability. For more information on Magee’s wheelchair sports program, call (215) 587-3412.