Toyota Supports Team USA Athletes In North Texas Wheelchair Basketball Games

June 17, 2019 by Toyota

PLANO, Texas (June 17, 2019) – In the first event of its kind to come to the area, thirty-six wheelchair basketball players from Japan, Spain, and the United States will face off at the 2019 Toyota USA Men's Wheelchair Basketball Showdown from June 20-25. Fans will have the chance to attend two of the games at Prosper High School in Prosper, Texas, on Saturday, June 22, with USA vs. Japan at 10 a.m. CDT, followed by Spain vs. USA at 1 p.m. CDT.

'This event is an opportunity to bring people in our community together and rally behind these athletes as they prepare for one of the biggest stages in sports,' said Steven Curtis, vice president, Toyota Olympic and Paralympic Marketing. 'Our partnership with the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) has allowed us to reinforce that no matter your background, whether sitting or standing, when it comes to the game, everyone is equal, dedicated and passionate about their sport.'

Toyota has partnered with 16 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Bodies (NGBs), including the NWBA. As an extension of these relationships, Toyota has signed on as the entitlement sponsor to several NGB events leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, reiterating its belief that the spirit of the Games and their athletes should be celebrated 365 days a year.

'Since our partnership first started, Toyota has been all-in supporting our organization and athletes year-round,' said Will Waller, chief executive officer, NWBA. 'In moving this event to Texas and with Toyota's help, we're able to bring our sport and our athletes to a new audience and motivate more people to get out and realize their potential. We are excited for our men's team to compete in North Texas as we prepare for the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru, and ultimately Tokyo 2020.'

The lineup for Saturday's feature games include a rematch to the gold medal game in the Paralympic Games Rio 2016 when the USA beat Spain 68-52. The game will be preceded by USA vs. Japan with the USA holding a 9-0 record against Japan in International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) and Paralympic competition.

Fans who attend Saturday's free event at Prosper High School have the opportunity to meet Team USA players in an autograph session following the final game at 1 p.m. Toyota and the NWBA will also have free giveaways for fans throughout the day, including halftime prizes, and for people interested in testing their own wheelchair basketball skills, an interactive display will be setup in a fanzone outside the gym. The Dallas Mavericks will also provide entertainment, including the Mavs ManiAACs and Mavericks Street Team, along with a prize package.