John Gilbert, from MU, helped the US Wheelchair Basketball Team beat Spain to win the Gold Medal in the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World Championships. (MU / July 14, 2009)
COLUMBIA, MO. -
The University of Missouri's John Gilbert is bringing home two gold medal from international wheelchair basketball competition.
Tuesday, Gilbert helped the USA defeat Spain 77-54 to win the Under-23 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World Championship.
Before the big game, Gilbert talked about his intensity. "All the focus and determination we have put together for this journey to the gold medal falls on this one game, and we will see if the hard work has paid off," Gilbert said. "I have felt like I have contributed, but it is a team sport where if one player is playing by themselves, the unit is off. We've played well together as a team and have accomplished our goals to this point."
"We're extremely proud of John and his accomplishments with the U.S. Under-23 team," said Ron Lykins, coach of the Mizzou Tiger Wheelchair Basketball team. "This has been a goal of his for a very long time. He's a fantastic leader for our team who leads by example. Our players see how hard he works and, through his efforts, he encourages his teammates to work harder."
Previously, Gilbert won a gold medal as part of the U.S. national team that competed in the Para Pan-American games.
This isn't the end of Gilbert's international career. Following the current tournament, he has been invited to tryouts for the 2009 U.S. senior national wheelchair basketball squad later this summer. The trials, which will be held in August in Birmingham, Ala., will determine the 12 players who will represent the United States at the Americas Zone Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, later this year.
"If he is selected to the senior squad, it will mark him as one of the elite players in the country," Lykins said.
The 2008-2009 Tiger Wheelchair Basketball team won 25 games, the most victories ever in a single season for the team. The team also posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.3.
Tuesday, Gilbert helped the USA defeat Spain 77-54 to win the Under-23 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World Championship.
Before the big game, Gilbert talked about his intensity. "All the focus and determination we have put together for this journey to the gold medal falls on this one game, and we will see if the hard work has paid off," Gilbert said. "I have felt like I have contributed, but it is a team sport where if one player is playing by themselves, the unit is off. We've played well together as a team and have accomplished our goals to this point."
"We're extremely proud of John and his accomplishments with the U.S. Under-23 team," said Ron Lykins, coach of the Mizzou Tiger Wheelchair Basketball team. "This has been a goal of his for a very long time. He's a fantastic leader for our team who leads by example. Our players see how hard he works and, through his efforts, he encourages his teammates to work harder."
Previously, Gilbert won a gold medal as part of the U.S. national team that competed in the Para Pan-American games.
This isn't the end of Gilbert's international career. Following the current tournament, he has been invited to tryouts for the 2009 U.S. senior national wheelchair basketball squad later this summer. The trials, which will be held in August in Birmingham, Ala., will determine the 12 players who will represent the United States at the Americas Zone Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, later this year.
"If he is selected to the senior squad, it will mark him as one of the elite players in the country," Lykins said.
The 2008-2009 Tiger Wheelchair Basketball team won 25 games, the most victories ever in a single season for the team. The team also posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.3.
