National Wheelchair Basketball Association Champions

2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997

It's ability, not disability that counts

Team President Abu Yilla

“Ability, not disability, counts”

This reflects what seems to have become the main driving force in my life – the empowerment of people with disabilities.

President Abu Yilla - A diplomat and philosopher with a storied basketball history, Abu provides organizational leadership and stability to the Maverick organization. He has played for national teams and won championships in both Great Britain and the USA. Abu bridges the gap between the founders and current players within the 20+-year history of the organization.

Born: June 25th 1956, Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa
Lives: Arlington, Texas
Work: University of Texas at Arlington, Assistant Professor
Education: University of Nottingham England, B.A, (Econ); University of Texas at Arlington, B.A.; Texas Woman’s University, M.S.; Texas Woman’s University, PhD.
Disability: Post-poliomyelitis paraplegia, 1959

In his spare time: What spare time? No really, playing the guitar

Admires: Mohamed Ali, Pele, and Bill Clinton

Other talents: Good with numbers and logic problems

Pets: Dog(Sophia), Cat(Eden), Cockatiel(Burd)

Best team basketball moment: With the Mavericks when we won the World Club Championships in Madrid, Spain, in 1997

Best personal basketball moment: It was all great but if I had to pick it would be my 8 selections to All-National Tournament teams