[Download a PDF of Zion’s biography.]
Zion Redington moves. As a member of the 2024 USA Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic Team, Zion has been called “the future of the sport.” A gold medalist along with Team USA at the 2023 Parapan American Games, Zion is ready to represent the United States in Paris.
Zion’s Wheelchair Rugby Journey
At age nine, Zion was spotted at a wheelchair basketball tournament and invited to try out “quad rugby,” originally called “Murderball,” a sport created by quadriplegics who wanted a more active and physical sport for those with all four limbs affected. He didn’t like it at first because there were no other players anywhere near his age. But he enjoyed slamming into other chairs, so he stuck with it. He first played for the Cumberland QuadCrushers based in Middle Tennessee and coached by Paralympic gold medalist and Wheelchair Rugby Hall of Fame member, Eddie Crouch. He learned the fundamentals and traveled to tournaments where he played against current and former Paralympians from around the world.
As Zion grew up, he got taller, stronger, and more court-wise. Soon, he was noticed by the US National Team, which invited him to a training camp. He made the cut and found his place on the development team. Squads from Canada, Great Britain, and other countries traveled to the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama, to train and play against Team USA, giving Zion his first international playing experience. All of Team USA players participate in a club team to stay in shape and stay sharp between training camps and international play.
The Nashville team dissolved, so Zion joined the Lakeshore Demolition and started commuting each week from Nashville to Birmingham. The drive became too much so his family moved to Alabama to allow Zion to train more strategically. Zion’s determination, combined with the incredible staff and facilities, grew Zion into a formidable player. Through subsequent tryouts, Zion made the USA training squad and, ultimately, the national team. In advance of the Paralympics in Paris beginning August 28, 2024, Zion has competed with the team in France and Denmark, Canada, and helped the team win Gold at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Chile. Zion was also chosen to represent wheelchair rugby at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Media Summit in New York City.
Zion’s Other Sports
Zion, a rising high school senior, is also striving—through his studies and his training regimen—to play wheelchair basketball in college. He has played wheelchair basketball every season since age seven except for this last year when he concentrated on rugby in advance of the Paralympics. In 2022, the Lakeshore Lakers, his team of high school-aged athletes, won the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s National Championship on the varsity level.
Zion has tried his hand at adaptive running, cycling, climbing, field events, swimming, surfing, sled hockey, air rifle, and more.
In 2022, Zion was recognized by Under Armour as an “athlete no one saw coming” and invited to their world headquarters for two days of training and celebration.
When not studying or training, Zion enjoys debating any topic anywhere with anybody, building teams on Take-Two Interactive’s NBA2K23, spending time with friends, and eating great food, especially Chick-fil-A and ramen.
Zion’s Disability
Zion Min Redington was born in China with a genetic deficiency called ectrodactyly. He had one finger on each hand and one toe on each foot. At age six, his adoptive mom, Heather, in consultation with Zion’s doctors, decided to amputate his feet so he could have greater mobility. Until that time, he had spent many months in full leg casts because he had broken the bones in his feet multiple times. Zion now wears prosthetics or uses a wheelchair.
As an adaptive athlete, Zion is “classified” to play each sport based on his physical health, range of motion, and other factors. These classifications play a strategic role in how coaches of both wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby choose starting lineups and substitute players throughout games.
In wheelchair basketball, the five active players each have an assigned classification from 1 to 4.5. Only 14 points can be represented on the court at one time. Coaches must be aware of the point total and will play a combination of high-point and low-point players. In wheelchair rugby, only 10 points can be on the court at one time.
In wheelchair basketball, Zion is classified as a 1.5.
In wheelchair rugby, Zion is classed 3.5.
Learn More
Scott Hamilton’s Good People
Author, speaker, and Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton drops by Zion’s house to hear more of his story and encourage others along the way. [Link]
Living Out Loud
Originally produced for A&E Networks, this single season of a reality TV show (streaming on the Roku channel) goes behind the scenes of the lives of those living with disabilities. In Zion’s episode, you’ll eat breakfast, visit the prosthetist, and of course play a little ball. [Link]
Bold Soul Sports
Interviewed by documentarian Corey Moss, this interview features great B-roll from Zion’s life plus interviews with his mom and step-dad. [Link]
Under Armour: The Athlete No One Saw Coming
Feature by Permobil
The Permobil Foundation also featured my story in a video for their constituents. [Link]
Questions and Answers with Zion
What are your team goals for this competition year?
I want to contribute to team chemistry. I want to get to know the guys and be a great teammate to them. I want to inspire them to work harder.
What are some of your favorite things to do off the court?
Watch a good movie with the fam, hanging out with my friends, and trying out new restaurants. And I love to eat at Chick-fil-A.
Tell us a little bit about your background and family.
I was born in China with a genetic deficiency called ectrodactyly. I had one finger on each hand and one toe on each foot. I spent my first two years in an orphanage available for adoption. My adoptive mom spotted my picture on an adoption agency’s website, and within a few months, I was at home in America with my adoptive parents. At age six, my mom, in consultation with my doctors, decided to amputate my feet so I could have greater mobility. Until that time, I had spent many months in full leg casts because I had broken the bones in my feet multiple times. I now wear prosthetics or use a wheelchair.
I have two older sisters and an older brother. My oldest sister and her husband are the parents of my first niece. I have four step-siblings.
My family recently relocated to Birmingham so I could train and play at Lakeshore. I live at home with my blended family with my mom, brother, sister, step-dad, and two dogs.
What’s life like when you’re not competing? What is your profession? Are you a student? What are you studying?
I’m still in high school. I’m a rising senior. I’m homeschooled to give me time for workouts and travel.
Give us one fun fact about yourself.
I’ve been on reality TV… twice.
Favorite Sports Figure/Athlete.
Scottie Pippen
If you could play another Paralympic sport, what would it be?
Wheelchair basketball
Describe this team in one word.
Champions
Describe your style of play in one word.
Aggressive
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? What would your superhero name be?
Time travel. My superhero name would be Bob.
Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
“Z,” but Coach Delagrave calls me “Zion the Lion” or “Thunder”
What motto do you live by?
Better an “oops” than a “what if.”
Favorite movie.
“The Pursuit of Happyness”
Least favorite food.
Mushrooms
If you could interview one famous person (dead or alive), who would it be?
Warren Buffett
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To book Zion for your event or schedule an interview, reach out to Zion’s mom, Heather Redington-Whitlock by email.
