At just 17 years old, Najee Smothers is redefining what it means to overcome obstacles. Born with spina bifida, Nagy has always been determined to live her dreams, even if there were bumps in the road. Neither his illness nor the amputation of his lower leg at the age of nine stopped him from becoming the best athlete he could be. That journey earned him worldwide recognition and admiration.
This October, Nagy, a standout member of the DeKalb Silver Streaks wheelchair basketball team, was named Georgia’s Most Valuable Player Overall at the 6th Annual Adaptive Sports Programs in Recreation and Education (ASPIRE) Awards in Atlanta. won a league award. The ASPIRE Awards, sponsored by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP), recognize individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to adaptive sports across the United States.
“I was very happy to receive the award, because it made me feel seen by everyone,” Nagy said. “Winning this award meant a lot to me because it shows how big it is.” [AAASP] They actually care and they know what I can do. ”
This isn’t the first time Nagy’s talent has been recognized. Last year, he won the AdaptED Sports League’s 2023 ASPIRE Male Athlete of the Year award.
His athletic journey began at the age of six when someone noticed his incredible speed and encouraged him to join the DeKalb Silver Streaks wheelchair basketball team. The team is part of the DeKalb County School District’s adaptive sports program.
“That’s how I started and I’ve loved it ever since,” he said.
Silver Streaks head coach Delton Shorts remembers Nagy as an energetic kid who quickly fell in love with the game.
“He loved being a part of the team. A lot of the teams we played against were obsessed with this cute kid running up and down the court,” Coach Shorts said. “Sometimes he would wear his jersey backwards, and that became his trademark.”
Assistant coach Everett Shorts praised Nagy’s learning and leadership abilities.
“He always had a desire to learn and there was nothing he wouldn’t do,” he said. “Nagy has grown as a player and coach. He coaches the team, manages the team huddle, calls timeouts, knows the game, knows the rules of each game.”
When a burn on his left leg became infected at age 9, leading to the lower half of his leg being amputated, Nagy refused to let this setback slow him down. Instead, he expanded his athletic pursuits and became a multi-sport athlete participating in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair soccer, wheelchair handball, and wheelchair track and field.
His outstanding performance in wheelchair handball caught the attention of the United States National Wheelchair Handball Team. Nagy was invited to tryout and was named to the team’s 10-man roster as the youngest player on the team. In September, he traveled to Egypt with his team to participate in the International Handball Federation (IHF) Wheelchair Handball World Championship. Nagy and his team returned home with the national team’s first silver medal.
“I really enjoyed being on the sideline, helping the team and cheering on them,” he said.
Nagy, a senior at Grayson High School in Gwinnett County, plans to attend college and continue his athletic career. He is considering Auburn University, the University of Alabama and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After graduating from college, he dreams of trying out for the U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team and continuing to play on the national handball team.
Nagy hopes her accomplishments will inspire others facing similar challenges.
“Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something,” he said. “Try hard and don’t give up.”
Najee Smothers not only overcomes obstacles with extraordinary determination and fortitude, she inspires others to do the same, proving that no dream is out of reach.
