Dave Kiley - Wheelchair Basketball Legend & 9 Paralympic Gold Medals, 2 Silvers and 2 Bronze

Chris Waddell's Nametags Chat Podcast

David Kiley, aka DK, began his love affair with basketball straight out of the womb. Raised in Costa Mesa in SoCal, DK played the sport from morning to evening on the hoop his dad hung from the garage roof or on any outdoor court that he could walk or ride his bike to. Playing and practicing solo and alone was a habit he enjoyed and while dreaming of the time he'd possibly be playing at UCLA or being a pro with the Lakers. However, spinal cord injury rocked his world at this time while he was inner tubing in Southern California mountains at Big Bear. Devastated, DK entered rehabilitation at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, in Downey, CA. What would follow over the years would be playing for the USA in four different decades winning 9 Paralympic Gold Medals, 2 Silvers and 2 Bronze in three different sports i.e. Basketball, Track and Alpine Skiing. 8 NWBA National Championships and 6 MVPs (the most won by a player) World Championships and much more that will be left unsaid. David Kiley was also the first wheelchair athlete to appear in Sports Illustrated and to his joy, he was pictured with his two children Justin and Danielle. Married to a loving and supportive wife, Sandy, DK is now a grandfather, a role he embraces like no other and feels "life couldn’t get any better."