Evan Heller Championship

MVP Award

Evan Heller joined the Wooster Generals wheelchair basketball team as an 8th grader in 2015, during the team’s inaugural year. Although hesitant, the moment he sat in the chair on the first day of practice, he was hooked. Little did he know, that would be a defining moment. Fast forward to 2020, Evan finished his high school career with 54 wins, 0 losses, and 3 consecutive State Championship titles. The skills he developed playing for his school team, as well as his academic success, paved the way for a scholarship to play basketball at Auburn University, a Division I college. Evan competed for Team USA on the U23 Men’s Team, winning a gold medal at the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation U23 America’s Zonal Qualifier held in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Many of Evan’s high school records and skills remain untouched to this day. His high school legacy, college successes, and Team USA endeavors inspires and motivates many new athletes. To highlight the player of the game in the annual state championship and to honor Evan’s legacy, the 'Evan Heller Award' was established in the 2024–2025 season.

No one could have realized it at the time, but Evan’s path to college and Team USA started in 2015 with a basketball, a sports chair, and a gym, Evan wrote his own story from there. He is a testament as to what can happen when given an opportunity. All he needed was a chance to play. 

“It gave me an opportunity to play a sport for my school. It’s given me an opportunity to go to college and play for a college team. Look at me now. I’m going to college at Auburn. Nobody would have thought that. “

 – Evan Heller