Who To Watch

Rose Hollermann was just 16 years old when she made her Paralympic debut, thrust into a key role in the 2012 semifinal due to others in foul trouble. By 2016, she was a go-to scorer. Now 25, she’s expected to be a key player for Team USA again in Tokyo.

Only Hollermann, Natalie Schneider (2008, 2012, 2016) and Darlene Hunter (2012, 2016) return with Paralympic experience on the U.S. women’s team, so this group will need to see rookies step up. Courtney Ryan should bring aggression and flair to the team, while teenagers Bailey Moody and Ixhelt Gonzalez will add size and energy.

For the U.S. men, it’s more like who can’t you watch. This team likes to run opponents to death with pressure on both sides of the ball. Steve Serio is the floor leader and a serious shooter, as is Jake Williams. Brian Bell, Trevon Jenifer and Matt Scott are flyers, while Josh Turek, Mike Paye and Nate Hinze can all score and deny in the paint. The men also bring a boatload of experience, with all eight guys listed above having previous Paralympics experience.

Who’s In The Medal Mix

Favorites on the women’s side have to be the reigning world champion, the Netherlands, along with the fast rising Great Britain, who were second at the world championships, as well as always competitive Germany and Australia.

Giving the American men a run will be a trio of Commonwealth countries: the aforementioned Great Britain, Canada and Australia. Canada features Patrick Anderson, who many consider a contender for GOAT status. Spain also made a great run to the final in Rio but finished fifth in the most recent world championships.

Good To Know

Overseen by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation, the game is played with a player point system designed to allow individuals with a variety of disability levels to participate equitably. Athletes with less impairment have a higher point assignment, 4.5 being the top. Those with greater impairment are a 1 or 1.5. The total number of points for the five players on the court at a time is 14.

How To Watch

All of the U.S. preliminary round games will air on NBCSN. In addition, each U.S. game will be presented live on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. Peacock will feature medal-round action in multiple sports, including wheelchair basketball. All Peacock coverage will also air on television.

Here is the tentative TV schedule (All times EDT and subject to change):

Wednesday Aug. 25 (2:00am-4:00am)

Women’s Preliminaries – USA vs Netherlands (Tape Delay) - NBCSN

Wednesday Aug. 25 (8:00pm-9:45pm)

Men’s Preliminaries – USA vs Germany (LIVE) - NBCSN

Thursday Aug. 26 (4:00am-5:45am)

Women’s Preliminaries – USA vs Spain (LIVE) - NBCSN

Friday Aug. 27 (7:00am-8:45am

Men’s Preliminaries – USA vs Iran (Tape Delay) - NBCSN

Saturday Aug. 28 (12:00am-1:30am)

Women’s Preliminaries – USA vs China (Tape Delay) – NBCSN

Saturday Aug. 28 (4:15am-5:30am)

Men’s Preliminaries – USA vs Great Britain (LIVE) – NBCSN

Sunday Aug. 29 (10:30pm-12:00am)

Men’s Preliminaries – USA vs Australia (Tape delay) - NBCSN

Monday Aug. 30 (1:00am-2:30am)

Women’s Preliminaries – USA vs Algeria (Tape delay) - NBCSN

Monday Aug. 30 (7:30am-9:00am)

Men’s Preliminaries – USA vs Algeria (LIVE) – NBCSN

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE U.S. WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAMS HEADING INTO TOKYO

Loading...

Loading...