“Team PER4MAX saw the potential in me before anyone else did – including myself. They provided me with the best possible equipment; allowing me to reach heights I never believed to be possible. Now, I’d rather choke striving for greatness than nibble on mediocrity.”
Steve Serio
PER4MAX ATHLETE, TEAM USA GOLD MEDALIST
ABOUT STEVE SERIO
Classification: 3.5
Position: Co-Captain / Forward / Guard
Hometown: Westbury, New York
Alma Mater: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Paralympic Medals: Rio 2016 (Gold), Tokyo 2020 (Gold), Paris 2024 (Gold), London 2012 (Bronze)
International Honors: ESPY Award Winner (Best Male Athlete with a Disability), IWBF World Champion
New York native, Steve Serio, has been playing wheelchair basketball since high school, where he was quickly named MVP of the National Junior Championship Tournament. From there, he racked up many more championships and MVP titles, including medaling at Worlds (2 silvers, 1 bronze) and competed in three Paralympic Games (1 gold, 1 bronze) with Team USA. In 2017, Steve was the first wheelchair basketball player to win an ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability 2017. Today, Steve spends his time traveling and training for Team USA tryouts and Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. He credits his success to his supportive family.
Career Highlights
- 3-Time Paralympic Gold Medalist: Captained and anchored Team USA to three consecutive Paralympic Gold Medals at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, cementing one of the greatest dynasties in Paralympic sports history.
- ESPY Award Winner: Named Best Male Athlete with a Disability at the 2017 ESPY Awards following his dominant gold-medal performance in Rio.
- World Champion & All-Star: Led Team USA to IWBF World Championship Gold and earned tournament MVP and All-Star Five honors across multiple international competitions.
- European Professional Champion: Starred professionally in Europe for top clubs such as RSV Lahn-Dill, winning multiple European Champions Cup titles.
- Collegiate National Champion: Led the University of Illinois Fighting Illini to NWBA Intercollegiate National Championships while earning tournament MVP honors.