Deaf basketball is basketball that is played by deaf people. They use sign language to communicate with each other including the refs. Most of the deaf basketball competitions are organized with national and international association like the Deaf Basketball Australia, Deaf basketball UK, and United States of America Deaf Basketball.
This sport gained popularity because of Lance Allred, who was an NBA player with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is hearing impaired, he had 70-80 percent hearing loss, and he wears hearing aid. Another popular deaf basketball player is Miha Zupan, he currently plays in Europe.
The governing body for deaf basketball is the Deaf International Basketball Federation, it is also supported by the International Basketball Federation, and also the Deaflympics. It was just recently recognized by the International Committee of the Deaf Sports in Sweden. The organization encourages the development of this sport through some programs. The DIBF regularly organized competitions for deaf basketball.
Similar Sports
- Basketball — players attempt to shoot the ball through the hoop on the opponent’s court, moving the ball by throwing and dribbling.
- Wheelchair Basketball — basically regular basketball played on a wheelchair
Related Pages
- Sports for the Disabled
- Major events for deaf athletes
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports