The men’s wheelchair basketball team from the United States achieved a first by winning three gold medals in the Paralympic Games. On September 7, Team USA won gold at Bercy Arena in Paris, defeating Great Britain 73-69.
Like he has done the entire Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, Steve Serio guided Team USA to victory. In the victory, he finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Serio declared that he will be competing in his last Paralympics. His performance has been a major factor in the US men’s team’s dominance over the last ten years. With three golds from the Paralympics, one bronze, and five medals from world championships, he quits.
Man, this is the stuff that dreams are built of. the entirety of the adventure and the extent to which this group has matured together. Together, we’ve triumphed and failed. With 12 athletes I love and an amazing team supporting me, to end my Team USA career with a triumph like this—this is the stuff dreams are made of, Serio told NBC following the victory.
However, Serio barely managed to win on his own. With 26 points, Jake Williams led Team USA, followed by Trevon Jenifer’s 14. Brian Bell was all over the floor and made a huge impact on defense, even though he didn’t score as many points as he had in prior games.
Serio claimed that the group’s depth and camaraderie were what set them apart.
“Any athlete may be it on any given day. We are aware of our 12-deepness. It was once said, I believe, that basketball is not the secret. It has to do with the connections you’ve made—these individuals. We sweat, we bleed, and we work together as a team. He grinned broadly and continued, “We fail together, and today we won together.
The victory completes the U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team’s incredible journey through Paris. After winning all three of their group-stage matches, the United States averaged 36 points to win both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. They will now be able to return home as the greatest wheelchair basketball squad in history.