To be eligible for play in the NWBA, a player must have an irreversible lower-extremity disability, such as paralysis, amputation, radiological evidence of limb shortening, partial to full joint alkalosis or joint replacement, which consistently interferes with functional mobility. Findings such as soft tissue contracture, ligamentous instability, edema or disuse atrophy, or symptoms such as pain or numbness, without other objective findings shall not be considered a permanent lower-extremity disability (NWBA Official Rules and Case Book 2007-2008).

Wheelchair basketball players are classified according to their level of functional ability. Muscle function related to basketball skills of shooting, passing, rebounding, pushing, and dribbling are evaluated. Athletes are given a point value or classification specific to basketball. Player classifications and rules adopted by the NWBA are slightly different than those of the IWBF (Paciorek and Jones, 2001).