Steve Serio

Paralympic Champion // World Champion // ESPY Winner

Wheelchair Basketball

Westbury, New York

New York, New York

At 11-months-old, had surgery to remove a spinal tumor, which resulted in the compression of his spinal cord. Consequently, he was left paralyzed and is classified as an incomplete paraplegic
Began playing wheelchair basketball at the age of 14
Led University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to a national championship, winning championship game player of the game, NWBA tournament MVP, and the NWBA 31st NIWBT player of the year in the process
Played professionally overseas in Europe for several seasons
In 2017, won an ESPY for “Best Male Athlete with a Disability”
Serves on the Team USA Athletes Commission
Advocate and keynote speaker on the power of sports for all, and mentors young athletes with disabilities
Hobbies include reading, traveling, and fostering dogs

4x Paralympian (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
2x Paralympic champion (2020, 2016)
3x Paralympic medalist (2020: gold; 2016: gold; 2012: bronze)
5x World Championship medalist (2022: gold; 2018: silver; 2014: silver; 2010: bronze; 2006: silver)
4x Parapan American Games Champion (2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Team captain of Paralympic gold-medal team and finalist for Team USA Awards’ Male Athlete of the Paralympic Games in 2016
Played professional wheelchair basketball overseas in Europe