Los Angeles Fast Breakin’ Lakers

A group of physically-challenged young men got together in 1966 to pursue their athletic dreams by creating a wheelchair basketball team. Now known as the Fast Breakin’ Lakers thanks to support from AbilityFirst, established in 1926 as the Crippled Children’s Society. The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation has been contributing funds to cover travel expenses, donating uniforms and warm ups for the team and helping out by featuring the team in exhibition games during half-time at the Staples Center for over six years.

The team competes in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. When the new millennium began, the Fast Breakin’ Lakers were ranked no less than 22nd in the national standings. The team climbed to 3rd in the western division this year and 9th nationally for the 2005-2006 season. Hopefully, next year the team will be at the top in their NWBA Division and continue to play great wheelchair basketball for the fans, as they proudly wear the Lakers’ logo on their uniforms.

The Fast Breakin’ Lakers play wheelchair basketball throughout the Southland, developing their athletic abilities as they overcome their physical challenges. As the team members put it, “hard work and sacrifice help to build pride and to achieve goals.” The team has become a model of determination and positive attitude, showing their fans that they can overcome any obstacle -- no matter how challenging. Wheelchair basketball gives the players confidence in themselves and helps them to compete not only on the court but also in life.

If you are interested in playing wheelchair basketball and would like to try out for the team, please download and then complete the team application and return it by mail to the mailing address provided on the team application.

If you would like to get more information, you can contact the Fast Breakin’ Lakers at (626) 639-1735 or visit their website www.abilityfirst.org (click on Wheelchair Basketball).

* If your non-profit organization would like to request a Fast Breakin’ Laker player appearance, please contact the Lakers Community Relations office (310) 426-6006.