Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team
The sport of wheelchair basketball is said to have been created in the 1940’s by U.S. disabled veterans returning from World War II. As many came home paralyzed from their war wounds, they needed an outlet and several sports became popular with the veterans.
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- All eyes are on the shot by Robert Tucker, in foreground with wrist bands, during practice for the Maryland Ravens. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Coach Eddie Diggs directs practice of the Maryland Ravens, the number 1 ranked Division III wheelchair basketball team in the country. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Theodore Luster, Jr., left, tries to get around teammate Derry Hill during practice. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Zach Davenport, left, along with Mike Shaffer shoot their free throws during Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team practice. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Adrien Burnett tries for the block on Mike Shaffer’s shot during practice of the Maryland Ravens, the number 1 ranked Division III wheelchair basketball team in the country. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Larry Toler laughs as he picks himself up after falling from his chair during practice. Because of the game’s intesity, this is a common occurance for these athletes. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ron Shaffer, who was injuried in a Motocross accident, maneuvers his chair down the court during practice of Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Theodore Luster, Jr. lead the charge down court during practice of the Maryland Ravens. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ryan Henderson, who was injuried in a motorcycle racing accident, watches practice of Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Adrien Burnett, wheels out of bounds to snag a loose ball, during practice for Maryland Ravens. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Theodore Luster, Jr., left, tries for the block on Derry Hill during practice of the Maryland Ravens during practice. Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun #91
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- Ron Shaffer and his son Mike Shaffer fight for the loose ball during practice for Maryland Ravens. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Theodore Luster, Jr. rolls down the court during practice for the Maryland Ravens, the number 1 ranked Division III wheelchair basketball team in the country. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Mike Shaffer, center, lunges towards Ryan Henderson, trying for the ball during practice for the Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
One sport that seemed to garner the most interest was basketball. According to the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, the first match was played in 1946 by the California Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of American, followed by the New England chapter, and quickly spread to VA hospitals across America.
Since then, the sport has spread throughout the world. Established in 1972, the Maryland Ravens, formerly called the Baltimore Ravens, have promoted athletics for the disabled in the Baltimore area.
The current Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team, led by their coach Eddie Diggs, is the number one ranked Division III team in the nation. The 2006 Maryland Ravens team was the Division III National Champions.
The current team is comprised of men who come from a variety of backgrounds and a variety of circumstances, which put them into wheelchairs. However, they have bonded into one unit on the court, with a championship as their goal.
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