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Wheeler
Wheelchair Basketball

Stephanie

Wheeler

Paralympian 2004, 2008

Stephanie Wheeler
  • 2

    GOLD

  • 0

    SILVER

  • 0

    BRONZE

Athlete Bio#

Stephanie Wheeler shooting the basketball

Age

44

Hometown

Norlina, NC

Education

University of Illinois

Quick Facts
  • Was a member of the U.S. National Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team from 2001-2010
  • Entering Beijing, Wheeler was one of a handful of players returning from a U.S. team that won gold in Athens, Greece
  • Started throughout the 2008 Paralympic Games, Wheeler once again led Team USA to a gold medal
  • Coached Team USA to a gold medal in women's wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games Rio 2016
  • Is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where she received a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and was a member of three wheelchair basketball national championship teams
  • Is the current head coach for the women's wheelchair basketball team at Illinois (as of 2025)
  • Is working on her Ph.D. in Adapted Physical Education
  • Is an Athlete Ally Ambassador and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights
  • Inducted into the USOPC Hall of Fame, Class of 2025
Biographical Information

The U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team won its first gold medal in 22 years at the Paralympic Games Athens 2004. Christina (Ripp) Schwab and Stephanie Wheeler went on to coach future national teams, Wheeler in 2016, and Schwab in 2024. Both are members of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Six members of the 2004 team (Emily Hoskins, Patty Cisneros Prevo, Carlee Hoffman-Schwarz, Wheeler, Schwab and Jennifer Warkins) returned to win gold again at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, marking the first back-to-back titles for the program. In 2004, the U.S. defeated five-time defending champion Canada in the semifinal and avenged a narrow group-stage loss to Australia with a 56–44 victory in the gold-medal game, setting the stage for continued success in future Paralympic Games.

Paralympic Experience
  • 2-time Paralympian; 2-time Paralympic medalist (2 gold)
    • Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, gold (Team - Women)
    • Paralympic Games Athens 2004, gold (Team - Women)
World Championships Experience
  • Most recent: 2010 – gold (Team - Women)
  • Years of participation: Team - Women 2002, 2006, 2010
  • Medals: 3 (1 gold, 2 silver)
    • Gold – 2010 (Team - Women)
    • Silver – 2006 (Team - Women); 2002 (Team - Women)

Athlete News#

The 2004 U.S. women's wheelchair basketball team smiling

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