Mustafa Korkmaz

Started: He began playing wheelchair basketball at age eight in 1996 at ISV Hengelo in the Netherlands. (Athlete, 22 Jul 2016) Reason: He became involved in sport in order to improve his health. "I wanted to play sport and my father and mother found out that there was wheelchair basketball." (europeanparachampionships.com, 29 Jul 2023; Athlete, 22 Jul 2016) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (basketballexperience.nl, 01 Jan 2024) Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2017 he began serving as an ambassador for Basketball Experience Netherlands [BEN]. The foundation helps fund wheelchair basketball players and organises demonstrations for people of all ages. He also works as a motivational speaker through the organisation where he shares his life story and journey in Para sport to various businesses and students. (basketballexperience.nl, 01 Jan 2024, 01 Jan 2017; sitness.nl, 12 Mar 2020) PREVIOUS OCCUPATION He has worked as a payroll administrator and as an administrative legal assistant for the municipality of Arnhem in the Netherlands. (LinkedIn profile, 18 Feb 2024; sitness.nl, 12 Mar 2020) CHANGE OF JERSEY NUMBER Having worn the No.13 jersey number since 1997, he decided to switch to the No.23 in 2013. He was inspired to wear the No.23 jersey number by US basketball player Michael Jordan, who wore the same number for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. "In 2013 I decided to change my lucky number 13 for the legendary 23. I was and still am proud of my number 13, because for me it was not an unlucky number, but on the contrary it was my lucky number. I received this number in 1997 from my then coach Andre Oud, and I have worn it with pride ever since. Why 23? Michael Jordan." (LinkedIn profile, 18 Feb 2024)