USA wheelchair basketball player paralyzed by gunfire as a child celebrated

As Martrell Stevens smiled with young children at the New Life Celebration Church of God in Dolton, he draped his bronze medal from the 2025 FISU University games onto a young boy.

Stevens, who was paralyzed from the waist down as a 4-year-old when his spine was shattered by a stray bullet in May 2008 in Englewood, came to the church Friday to donate school supplies to more than a dozen elementary school students.

What Stevens didn’t know was that dozens of community members would be on hand to surprise him Friday afternoon. He was presented with a custom Bulls jersey by former Bulls Bobby Wilson and Mickey Johnson and a basketball signed by current guard Coby White.

“I was just overwhelmed with his story,” Wilson, 74, said. “There’s so many of our kids under pressure and they’re attacked by outside forces that are trying to steer them away from being successful.

“I want to use [Stevens] as encouragement for my grandson and for other kids,” Wilson added.

Stevens, 22, made it a fundamental part of his life to give back to his community as he continues to compile athletic and academic accolades.

“My whole goal is to give kids similar opportunities I had growing up,” Stevens said. “Wheelchair basketball and adapt athletics taught me so much in my life, from the value of teamwork to the value of making friends, and I just want to give that opportunity to someone else.”

Activist Andrew Holmes first met Stevens shortly after he was shot and got him a basketball net to help keep Stevens motivated. Two years after the attack that paralyzed him, Stevens was playing wheelchair basketball.

But it’s his commitment to community outreach in light of his success that stuck with Holmes.

“He never had that opportunity like these little kids here have,” Holmes said. “He gave them the opportunity to just get a book bag because he wanted to give back.”

Stevens’ perseverance has taken him all over the world. He represented Illinois in wheelchair basketball and has won medals in Germany, Brazil and Colombia and was selected as an alternate for the USA Men’s senior team.

Stevens got his bachelor’s degree in sports management, sports recreation and tourism from Illinois State University and is in his first year of a master’s program at the school.

Stevens also received a signed proclamation from Mayor Brandon Johnson.

“He wanted to give book bags back, but somebody gave him a bullet,” Holmes said. “He didn’t ask to be like this. But as strong as he is, he made it so that he could help others.”

Stevens hopes to play for the United States in the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles and wants to start a nonprofit to continue giving back to Chicago-area communities. He advises those in a similar position to “be resilient” and seek out opportunities.

“Even though you’re in [this] situation, life still moves forward,” Stevens said. “You have to figure out how to adapt and make your situation as best as possible.”