An American Wheelchair Basketball Icon Secures Gold at Final Paralympics

Steve Serio leads Team USA to a third straight Paralympic gold in wheelchair basketball, ending his storied career with a victory over Britain.

Steve Serio guided the U.S. to its third consecutive gold medal on Saturday night, clinching a victory over Britain in the final game of his illustrious career.

PARIS — Before the gold medal was placed around his neck, Steve Serio gathered his teammates for one last huddle. He had just led them to a 73-69 win over Britain, securing the United States its third consecutive Paralympic gold in men’s wheelchair basketball, but neither the victory nor Serio’s career would be complete without expressing his gratitude. His teammates leaned in on their chairs, listening attentively, while behind them, hundreds of fans waved American flags in celebration.

“I thanked them for their sacrifice, I thanked them for their hard work, and I thanked them for giving me a really cool experience as a retirement gift,” Serio said.

The day Serio discovered wheelchair basketball, in a New York gym at age 15, would forever remain the most significant moment of his life. Yet, it felt surreal how that discovery had culminated in Saturday night’s achievement. In his final Paralympic appearance, Serio delivered a standout performance, racking up 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists—an effort witnessed by a lively crowd of nearly 13,000 fans, a testament to how far the sport has advanced on the Paralympic stage.

When Serio finally received his gold medal at Bercy Arena, the clock had just struck midnight in Paris, marking his 36th birthday, and he was ready to pass the torch to the next generation of players.

“You look at this game, and this experience a little bit differently when you know it’s your last one,” Serio reflected. “I can’t think of a better way to go out.”

The United States made history by becoming the first team to claim three consecutive gold medals in wheelchair basketball, a sport that has grown into one of the most widely followed para sports worldwide. Initially developed by World War II veterans, wheelchair basketball was one of the original eight sports featured at the inaugural Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960. Today, the sport boasts hundreds of thousands of participants across over 100 countries.

The rules of wheelchair basketball largely mirror those of its standing counterpart, with one key difference: dribbling. Wheelchair players, all of whom have motor function impairments, are required to pass or bounce the ball after two pushes of their wheels to avoid a traveling violation.

In the United States, the sport has gained momentum, partly due to a robust collegiate system, including programs at Illinois, where Serio competed, and Wisconsin-Whitewater, which produced half of Team USA’s roster. Many players pursue professional careers in Europe, and over time, global competition has become fiercer. Several key figures in the sport anticipate an opportunity for further growth in the U.S. as wheelchair basketball is set to be featured in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.