TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa man who hasn't let his physical limitations keep him from playing basketball will soon be taking his talents to Tuscon, Arizona, thanks to a scholarship he earned to play wheelchair basketball.

  • Carlos Quintanilla, 20, born with spina bifida
  • Quintanilla discovered adaptive basketball 7 years ago
  • Quintanilla currently plays with the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs 
  • More Good News stories

Each year, thousands of young athletes dream of playing college sports, but the reality is very few actually get that chance.

Carlos Quintanilla, 20, of Tampa is making his dreams come true.

Quintanilla currently plays with the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs, a wheelchair basketball team.

"We're going out there full force, giving it 110 percent," he said.

He's determined not to let a physical disability get in his way.

"I've gone through so many challenges throughout my life and I've overcome every single one," he said.

Quintanilla was born with spina bifida, but 7 years ago his life took a turn when he learned about adaptive basketball.

"I just went into the gym and was like 'Wow! This is an amazing sport!'" he said. "It takes a lot of practice, but now it's second nature to me because I've practiced so much."

His sweat equity is paying off.

Quintanilla has received a college scholarship to play on the University of Arizona's Wheelchair Basketball team.

"The opportunity is just amazing," he said.

Tampa Bay Strong Dogs coach Wayne Bozeman said he has high hopes for one of his star players as he moves to the college game.

"Carlos is going to give them everything he's got. He'll work hard, he'll do whatever they ask him to do," Bozeman said.

"I'm coming and I'm ready. Bring it. I'm ready," Quintanilla said.

He hopes to get a degree in Information Technology and said after college he would like to play wheelchair basketball professionally.