Ambassadors

Basketball Player
JEREMY "OPIE" LADE

A Paralympic athlete and influential coach, Jeremy Lade has shaped the world of wheelchair basketball through both performance and mentorship. Originally from Oconto, Wisconsin, Jeremy was introduced to the sport at age 13 after a car accident at 8. That first camp at UW-Whitewater sparked a lifelong passion, leading to a celebrated career as both player and coach in adaptive sports.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• USA Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Team member (2001–Present)
• Paralympic Bronze Medalist, London 2012
• IWBF World Champion, 2002
• Competed: 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing Paralympics
• Parapan American Games Gold Medalist, 2007 & 2011
• Former Team USA Captain

Coaching Achievements

• Head Coach, UW-Whitewater Men’s Wheelchair Basketball
• 6× National Champion Coach (2009, 2011–2012, 2014–2016)
• Developed elite collegiate & Paralympic athletes
• Leads one of the nation’s top adaptive sports programs (as of 2024)

Basketball Player
COURTNEY RYAN

Courtney Ryan began playing soccer at age 4 and became a Division II All-American at Metropolitan State University of Denver. In 2010, a soccer accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, leading her to transition to wheelchair basketball. She joined Team USA in 2019, played for the Sydney Metro Blues in 2017, and served as an assistant coach for the University of Arizona women's wheelchair basketball team in 2019. Ryan is also a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• Parapan American Games 2019 – Silver Medalist
• Tokyo 2020 – Bronze Medalist (Women’s Team)
• Paris 2024 – Silver Medalist (Women’s Team)
• World Championships 2022 – Bronze Medalist (Women’s Team)
• Parapan American Games 2023 – Gold Medalist (Women’s Team)
• 2-Time NWBA National Champion 2014 and 2025 (Women's division)

Basketball Player
JEROMIE MEYER

was injured when he was 9 riding his bicycle. Found wheelchair basketball when he was in rehab. He's been playing basketball for 18 years. His passion and dedication in wheelchair basketball has provided him with an opportunity to compete for Team USA and be a role model to the next generation of adaptive athletes.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• 2023 IWBF World Champion
• 2023 Parapan American Games Champion
• Collegiate All-American
• 2024 U.S. National Team Member (Paris Paralympics)
• Former U23 National Team Member

Basketball Player
BECCA MURRAY

Born with spina bifida, she grew up playing multiple sports and began wheelchair basketball at age six, later joining the Milwaukee Wizards at 12. She aspires to be an adaptation specialist and is known for her kindness and inclusivity. A proud Green Bay Packers fan, she values being remembered for accepting others.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• 4× Paralympian, 3× Medalist
• Beijing 2008 – Gold (Women’s Team)
• Rio 2016 – Gold (Women’s Team)
• Paris 2024 – Silver (Women’s Team)
• London 2012 – 4th Place (Women’s Team)
• 2× World Medalist: 2010 Gold, 2023 Bronze (Women’s Team)

Basketball Player
JOSIE ASLAKSON

Paralyzed at age five, she discovered wheelchair basketball at 13 and went on to play for the Lady Movin’ Mavs at UTA before studying dramatic writing at NYU. Now head coach at the University of Arizona, she enjoys writing, art, film, spirituality, and traveling.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• 2× Paralympian, 2× Medalist
• Tokyo 2020 – Bronze (Women's Team)
• Paris 2024 – Silver (Women's Team)
• 1× World Medalist: 2023 Bronze (Women's Team)
• NWBA National Championships (4 in 4 divisions)
  • 2009 Jr. – Prep Division (MN Rowdies)
  • 2014 Jr. – Varsity Division (MN Timberwolves)
  • 2016 Intercollegiate Division – Women (UTA)
  • 2021 Women's Division (AZ Storm)
• Parapan American Games
  • 2019 Lima – Silver
  • 2023 Santiago – Gold
• 2019 U25 World Championships
  • Gold Medalist

Wheelchair Racing
HANNAH DEDERICK

From Mead, WA to Champaign, IL, my racing journey began at 12. After a 2015 referral from Shriners Children’s Hospital, I trained with ParaSport Spokane and now race with the University of Illinois team, continuously building strength and speed.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• 2x Paralympian Toyko 2021 T 54 100 4th , Paris 2024 T54 400 4th
• 3x World Championship Participant 2019 ,2023, 2025
• 2025 World Bronze Medalist T54 400m
• ParaPan American Games 2019 T54 Gold 100,400 , 2023 T54 Gold 100,400,1500
• 2017 & 2019 World Junior Champion 100,200,400,800

Basketball Player
JACKSON HORNE

From Red Wings to Warhawks: The Journey Continues Starting varsity competition at just eight years old with the Huntington Red Wings, he later elevated his game with Lakeshore in Birmingham. Now, after years of dedication and growth, he has signed with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and will begin his collegiate career this fall.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• Four National Wheelchair Basketball Championship Titles
• Two Championship MVPs
• 2024 First Team All-Tournament
• 2025 Tournament MVP

Basketball Player
GAVIN PETERSON

Gavin was born with Spina Bifida and has been overcoming challenges since birth. Introduced to wheelchair basketball at a young age, he developed into one of the nation's top young players through years of dedication and relentless work ethic. After competing with the Utah Rush and representing the United States internationally, Gavin is now a sophomore at Auburn University, where he studies Business while competing for one of the country's premier collegiate wheelchair basketball programs. Focused on continuous improvement, Gavin's ultimate goal is to compete for Team USA at the Paralympic Games and inspire others to pursue excellence regardless of adversity.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

• USA U23 National Team 2025 America's Cup — Bogotá, Colombia (Gold Medal)
• 2025 U23 World Championships — São Paulo, Brazil (5th Place)
• 2026 NWBA Intercollegiate National Champion — Auburn University