‘It is always a success,’ Michigan wheelchair basketball highlights Hoopfest inclusivity

SPOKANE, Wash. – Hoopfest brings out the competitor in everyone, especially in the wheelchair division.

One squad packed their bags and flew from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to represent their maize and blue Wolverines, eager to build a program.

“So, this is our second year at Hoopfest,” Michigan wheelchair basketball head coach Jessica Wynne said. “So, it’s still pretty new, but it feels like home. When we got in yesterday, I was just like, oh man, it feels so good to be back here in Spokane.”

Take Alex Forstner, for example, as a car accident took his left leg at just 11 years old, but he didn’t let that stop him from playing his game.

“I found the Charlotte Rolling Hornets,” Forstner said. “And then through that experience, I was able to play all throughout high school and eventually get recruited by Michigan to have a college experience.”

Forstner and friends formed a bond at Michigan, as the school joins Washington, Arizona, and Northwestern in attending Hoopfest 2026.

“The support is amazing,” Wynne said. “That’s what sport does for people, and it’s no different for wheelchair basketball.”

“Really, the beauty of it, I feel like since we’re still in the beginning, as we’re able to build the foundation of the whole program, and then in the future, this is what’s going to lead us to eventually, hopefully, national champions,” Forstner said.

The Wolverines team took on cleverly-named ‘3 Nubs 5 Legs’, and while they didn’t pull out a win, they remain proud of their accomplishments.

“It’s really been an amazing opportunity to really have everybody,” Forstner said. “People who have never seen the game before or just come by, try it, dribble a little bit, or even just learn a little bit from us. So just being able to spread the awareness has been huge.”

They told us that hopefully the future sees the growth and expansion of hoops accessibility.

“It is always a success,” Wynne said. “I talk to people, ‘this is my 27th Hoopfest. This is my 15th. It’s my 10th.’ So, the more that people can continue to come and just experience that love, love of the game, it’s a win-win.”