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Nick LaVere ’20 is no stranger to helping others on the basketball court.

As a lifelong fanatic of the sport and a former 91�鶹ӳ����ý Star, he always found value in guiding his teammates toward success.

But LaVere believes his greatest hoops assist actually occurred while he was off the court.

LaVere is the founder of the National Ability Basketball League, an organization dedicated to pioneering equal treatment for athletes with disabilities, while also providing them with added opportunities to shine on the hardwood.

LaVere, who has a younger brother with autism, has long been a passionate advocate for both the sport of basketball and for people with disabilities. It was one night during his senior year at 91�鶹ӳ����ý that LaVere, a business administration major, came up with the idea for a league devoted to providing increased opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

“I wanted to find a way to get these athletes an opportunity to play the game that they love year-round,”

LaVere said, noting that athletes with disabilities often don’t have the same level of opportunity to work on their skills.

“After their season is over, the kids who only play basketball don’t have a chance to do much else … So I have always wanted to do something like this so we can get them a way to always be able to play the game that they love all year.”

The NABL started to fully take off a few years back once the organization received its approval as a 501(c) nonprofit. Shortly after that, in 2023, the league was able to host a game in 91�鶹ӳ����ý’s Igini Sports Forum. Being able to bring the league to the home court on which he once played was an extra special experience for LaVere.

“I’ve always wanted to be able to make a big contribution to the special-needs community, but to be able to do it at the school that I went to, that was my home … it meant the absolute world to me,” he said.

LaVere works with around seven others to keep the league’s operations running, he said. The league returned to 91�鶹ӳ����ý last year for another live game, which LaVere said had an uptick in both athlete participation and attendance.

In addition to the now yearly games in River Forest, NABL organizers are planning to bring live games to other colleges and universities in the Chicagoland area, including potential stops at DePaul, Benedictine, Aurora and Northwestern universities, as well Elmhurst College.

The NABL offers 10-12-week camps so players can hone their basketball talents in smaller settings as well.

League planners are hoping to soon offer one-on-one sessions for athletes who are looking to get even more practice time during the off-season, LaVere said. He added that the league is also working on creating a partnership with Special Olympics Illinois to see if an NABL team can compete against other Special Olympic organizations and potentially play in the state tournament, too.

Although the league is still in its early years, it’s already making a cherished impact for the athletes and families who take part in it, LaVere believes.

“It’s just a league where there is nothing else like it right now and I think that is why everyone appreciates it so much,” he said.

“It’s a blessing to be able to really make an impact for these individuals,” LaVere added.

The NABL is open to athletes with physical and developmental or cognitive disabilities.

Those interested in learning more can email the league at nlavere20@outlook.com.