Basketball New Zealand

Able-bodied wheelchair basketballer Steve Solomon

On-court there appears no difference between Steve Solomon and the rest of the wheelchair basketball players.

After the game is another story.

While his Kapiti-Horowhenua team-mates roll off the court at the Oreo Open and Wheelchair National Championships, Solomon walks.

He is able-bodied.

At any level under international, able-bodied athletes can compete alongside those with limitations and, infact, is something encouraged by Wheelchair Basketball New Zealand as they attempt to grow the game.

“It’s probably as tough, if not tougher than normal basketball. It’s probably a lot more physical than running basketball,” said 32-year-old Solomon, from Otaki.

“It can get pretty rough. I expect it to probably get a little bit rougher out there as the tournament goes on.”

Solomon was first introduced to wheelchair basketball as a child through his sister, a quadriplegic, who was playing in competition and was roped into the Kapiti-Horowhenua by player-coach Marcus Thompson.

“I’m not going to lie, when I’m standing it’s a lot easier to shoot. This takes your legs away, so it’s harder to shoot. Most basketballers shoot from their legs. It makes you develop your arms and you have to have good timing.

“It brings everyone down to the same level, although if you’re still tall, it helps.

“It’s fun, it’s hard-out and it’s good competition . . . I’d encourage anyone to come along and have a go.”

Solomon and the hometown Kapiti-Horowhenua had a rough introduction to the national tournament on day one, going down 103-22 to tournament favourites Canterbury, stacked with national team players, in their first game, before rebounding for a creditable 49-30 loss to defending wheelchair champions Waikato in the afternoon.

Canterbury – including Australian imports Andrew Tarrant and Eino Okkonen – got 28 points from John Wieser and 26 from Farrant. Sheldon Larsen poured in 34 points for Waikato.