For Wheelchair Basketball Veteran Nate Hinze, the Paris Paralympics Are a Family Affair

When Nate Hinze and the U.S. wheelchair basketball team take the court to open the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games against Spain, the moment will be extra special for the veteran hoops player. Hinze’s wife and three children will be cheering him on.

The joy and satisfaction experienced by Hinze as the tight-knit U.S. squad captured gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was fulfilling enough for the wheelchair basketball veteran to bid farewell to his sport, as it seemed at the time.

COVID-19 protocols in Tokyo changed nearly everything, however there were a few unexpected benefits for Hinze and teammates.

“We’re a close team, on and off the court, and the best part of that experience was putting gold medals on your teammates, instead of the dignitaries, because of the COVID protocols,” Hinze told Team USA. “Having Steve (Serio) put my gold medal on me and being able to give Tre (Jenifer) his was really special.”

Hinze said goodbye to his U.S. teammates with a big smile on his face. The timing seemed just right. 

The Cedar Grove, Wisconsin native had achieved nearly everything there is to achieve: three Paralympic medals (two gold, one bronze) and numerous other U.S. natioanl team accolades dating back to winning gold medals at the 2009 U23 World Championships in Paris and 2011 Parapan American Games in Mexico. The string of three successive Paralympic medals began shortly thereafter at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The well-traveled Para athlete and father of three young children was in the midst of a busy life at home in Wisconsin, including a full-time job at a local high school. Considering the extensive travel essential to competing and time away from home, Hinze officially retired.

“Missing the family time is not easy – it’s significantly overlooked by people who see all the medals and traveling that you do,” Hinze said. “They don’t really see the burden that it puts on your spouse and your kids. 

“My son, my third child, was born in March of 2021, just before Tokyo. I thought I was done. I had a job as an athletic director at a high school here in Wisconsin, so that took away a lot of time and nights, and summers from the family.

“I wanted to coach my kids in their sports and hang out with them. I was able to do that in 2022 and 2023,” Hinze informed.

Nate, who will turn 36 in June, and his wife Ashley have two daughters Reese and Lena, ages 9 and 6, and a young son Luka, 3. 

“It was such a blast to coach Reese’s third grade basketball team this year,” Hinze said, lighting up with enthusiasm. “It fulfills everything that you want to do – teaching your kid the game you love.”

“I’m happy just being a dad and a husband and staying home for the summers,” Hinze wrote, in an article for the ‘Love Wisconsin’ website.

But a fire inside of Hinze began to burn as the upcoming Paris Games drew closer. Hinze’s second family were the guys that he shared close bonds and emotional moments over the duration of a 12-year U.S. national team career. Especially longtime teammates Steve Serio, Trevon Jenifer and Jake Williams.

“One of the bigger drives for me is that growing up and going through my cancer treatment and having sports taken away from me, has put me in a position to embrace any opportunities that I have,” Hinze said, about undergoing nine months of chemotherapy after a tumor was discovered in his right leg during his junior year of high school.

Hinze underwent extensive surgery to remove the tumor and received a titanium knee replacement and rods to serve as his tibia. Stand-up basketball was no longer an option.

As Paris 2024 creeped closer, Hinze seriously contemplated a return to his sport. He began training once again in June 2023.

“I felt like I could get back in playing shape and make the team – that’s probably the biggest thing that motivated me,” he said. “I didn’t want to live with that regret if I didn’t try.”

After heartfelt discussions with wife Ashley and envisioning the possible shared opportunities with their three children, they came to an agreement. If he could make the team, he would indeed rejoin his other family for one last dance – at the Paralympic Games, in Paris.

“Definitely a big motivating factor to go to Paris was to hopefully play for the USA in front of my family; my wife and kids,” Hinze said.

In late March, after tryouts earlier in the year, Hinze was selected to represent Team USA for what will be his fourth Paralympic Games. The wheels quickly went into motion.

“Flights are booked, an Airbnb is booked – they’re ready to go and they’re excited,” Nate said, about Ashley, Reese, Lena and Luka.

“My wife is an absolute rock star – she supports me, helping me do this by staying home with three kids, which is no easy task.”

Team USA will be seeking its third consecutive Paralympic gold medal. Hinze and teammates open the tournament with a preliminary round contest versus Spain, tipping off on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 4:00 p.m. local time at Bercy Arena.

Hinze’s 6-foot-2 stature and steady presence on the court will certainly be felt.

“Obviously, Nate has been around with me for awhile and he’s always very even keeled,” said his teammate Jake Williams. “His attitude is that he never gets too high or too low and that’s something you definitely need on the team.”

Hinze will embrace the moment, donning the Team USA jersey on the hardwood floor alongside four members of his close-knit and caring basketball family. Four other very interested family members will be watching intently, cheering from the sidelines.

“On these long, hard trips, it’s kind of the light at the end of the tunnel – hopefully, we’ll all be celebrating a gold medal in September and all of these accomplishments that we’ve had over the past 15 years,” he said.