Chicago honors Englewood athlete who turned tragedy into triumph

Chicago honors Englewood athlete who turned tragedy into triumph

One South Side native defines resilience.

CHICAGO - A South Side native, who is currently studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, returned home on Friday to reflect on his journey—and to give back. 

Partially paralyzed after surviving a shooting as a child, the Team USA wheelchair basketball player has defied the odds in pursuit of his hoop dreams. 

What he didn’t realize when returning to Chicago was the well-deserved recognition awaiting him.

What we know:

Martrell Stevens has turned tragedy into triumph — viewing both his struggles and the opportunities that came from them as a blessing.

At the age of 22, Stevens is wise well beyond his years, and on Friday, he was honored during the Chicago White Sox game at Rate Field.

"No matter what, someone else is always going through something," Stevens said. "Everyone has a problem they're going through, they're trying to overcome."

Stevens has overcome some of life's toughest obstacles. At age 4, he was struck by a stray bullet in Englewood, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. 

Two years later, at age 6, he picked up wheelchair basketball and never looked back.

"It's a true story of hoops to hope," said Lisette Guillen, director, Case Files Chicago. 

Stevens took those hoop dreams to U of I where he earned his bachelor's degree in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in the same field. 

Stevens has traveled internationally, collected numerous medals, and was named the University of Illinois’ most valuable player.

This summer, Stevens won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2025 FISU World University Games. 

"It sends a strong message in saying that, keep strong no matter what happens and stay focused," said Andrew Holmes, community activist. 

Back in Chicago, Stevens is focused on giving back. On Friday, he handed out school supplies to local children.

Holmes and Guillen, however, had several surprises waiting for athlete. He was recognized in a letter from Mayor Brandon Johnson, presented with a trophy, and honored with a Chicago Bulls jersey and a basketball signed by Bulls guard Coby White.

"Today, as you can see, he has really just inspired all of us," Guillen said. 

Holmes has supported Stevens and his family since the start.

"[Andrew] even helped me get a basketball hoop in my backyard growing up, which helped me practice more every day," Stevens said. 

"Encouraged him to keep going, and he's been going. He would always call and say, 'hey I'm playing wheelchair representing the State of Illinois,'" Holmes added. 

To cap off a day for the memory books—an unforgettable experience was waiting for Stevens at Rate Field, where MLB Hall of Famer Harold Baines presented him with a custom White Sox jersey.

"I'm super grateful that people thought of me in this way and wanted to recognize me in this way," Stevens said. "Being in a wheelchair has given me a different perspective on life. I hope to start a nonprofit in the future to help give back to the communities I grew up in."

Overjoyed to see little ones looking on at the ballpark, Stevens leaves us with this:

"Take what you have in life and try to make the best out of it," Stevens said. "Try to follow your dreams and try to live your life with no regrets."

What's next:

Next up, Stevens has dreams of being a Paralympian at the LA Olympic Games in 2028.