Leading On and Off the Court: Adrina Castro Five Years Later
When Adrina Castro received the SPORTS ’N SPOKES (S’NS) Junior Athlete of the Year award in 2020, the presentation was anything but traditional. Instead of the customary fanfare before family, friends and fellow athletes at the Move United Junior Nationals closing ceremonies, (now The Hartford Nationals), the meeting took place at a local Tucson, Ariz., park during the early days of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Five years later, that unconventional moment stands as a fitting beginning to what has become a remarkable journey in wheelchair basketball and beyond.
“I was really scared, honestly, to meet you and just shoot around,” Castro recalls of the award presentation. “But my sister was there, and it was really fun to talk to you and see the person behind it [the S’NS award].”
From Recognition to Championships
The significance of the award didn’t fully register until Castro held the commemorative plate — a prize she still cherishes today, though she admits, “I’ve never eaten off of it because my mom said no.”
What did become immediately apparent was the confidence boost the recognition provided.
“It helped me acknowledge that I was already on a level where I could even be nominated, let alone win it,” Castro says. “It gave me more confidence to work on my skills and improve.”
That newfound confidence quickly translated to on-court success. Shortly after receiving the award, Castro won a national championship with her women’s team, competing alongside Paralympic athletes including Courtney Ryan. Additional championships followed with her D3 team, along with appearances at the Rocky Mountain Cup. Now, she’s preparing for perhaps her biggest opportunity yet — a tryout for the Americas Cup, which could put her on the path to her ultimate goal: representing Team USA in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics.
Versatility Across Teams
Castro’s development as an athlete is evident in her ability to adapt her game across the three teams she currently plays for. With the Junior Wildcats, she serves as point guard and team leader. On the Arizona Storm women’s team, she balances playmaking and shooting. And with the Tucson Lobos D1 team, she’s evolved into a scoring threat.
“My role differs with each team,” Castro says. “But I would say I’m a strong leader and a strong shooter. I’m an all-around player.”
This versatility didn’t happen by accident. Castro’s training regimen has grown significantly since 2020, becoming more structured and purposeful.
“I’m on a stricter training regimen now,” Castro says. “The last month I’ve been doing two-a-days, with Sundays as my day off. I used to just go train, but now I train with more purpose.”
Her focused development has centered particularly on speed elements, including first-push techniques and shot consistency — skills that have helped elevate her game.
Castro recently helped lead the Arizona Storm to victory, winning the 2025 National Wheelchair Basketball Association Women’s Division National Wheelchair Basketball Championship – their first since 2021.
The Paralympic Connection
Castro’s athletic development flourished in part from the guidance of teammates and Paralympic athletes Matt Scott and Courtney Ryan. Her relationship with Ryan began when Castro was 11 years old, and they worked out and trained together regularly even before Ryan relocated to Tucson.
“She’s been a really big part in helping me train and just being a big aspect of my basketball game. Always there to motivate me,” Castro says.
Her connection with Scott has been equally influential.
“We’re really close. He’s always there to give me that extra confidence boost, help me with my skills, tell me where I need to improve,” Castro says. “He’s like a big brother to me.”
Scott encourages Castro to study game footage, helping her visualize herself at the highest levels of competition.
“It helps me see plays that I wouldn’t have seen if I was in the game — helping me see the floor,” she explains.
Navigating The Pandemic
When COVID-19 shutdowns derailed the athletic development for many, Castro found ways to adapt. With a small collection of weights in her garage and a slanted driveway, perfect for conditioning work, she maintained her training regimen even during the most restrictive periods.
The pandemic may have limited some opportunities, but it couldn’t diminish Castro’s determination to improve — a quality that would open unexpected doors.
Off the Court: Advocacy Through Law
Perhaps the most surprising change in plan in Castro’s journey has been her shift in educational interests. She once planned to pursue computer coding and technology, but a transformative visit to the White House changed her perspective.
“I actually want to be a lawyer now,” Castro reveals. “I’ve seen the impact the founders of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have been able to make and how much they’re able to have a voice.”
Meeting one of the authors of the Americans with Disabilities Act inspired her to consider how she might combine her growing platform with legal expertise to advocate for others. While still exploring specific areas of law, she’s passionate about the potential to “give people a voice when they didn’t think they had one.”
Castro’s growing presence extends beyond the basketball court and into digital spaces, like her Instagram social media presence (@itty_bitty_beastmode), that has created unexpected opportunities.
“Social media has opened so many doors,” she says. “That’s how I got into acting and modeling. Somebody through Instagram reached out to me, and that’s how I was able to do work with Nike.”
These connections extend internationally, creating a network of supporters and fellow athletes across borders — a community that both bolsters her own journey and allows her to pay forward the mentorship she’s received.
Paralympic Dreams
With Team USA Paralympic tryouts on the horizon, Castro maintains unwavering confidence in her ability to reach elite levels in the sport.
“I’m hoping for 2028,” she says of her Paralympic aspirations. “We’ll see what happens, but I am confident that I’ll make it to that level.”
As she balances athletic goals with educational pursuits, Castro maintains a clear priority system.
“School obviously comes before basketball,” she notes, but her disciplined approach to training suggests she won’t be sacrificing either dream.
Perhaps the most telling sign of Castro’s growth since receiving the S’NS Junior Athlete of the Year award is her evolution from seeking advice to giving it. When asked what guidance she’d offer young athletes with similar aspirations, her answer reveals how deeply she values the connections that have shaped her own journey.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out,” she advises. “I’ve reached out to many people — first it was Courtney, then it was Matt — and I’ve grown friendships with them. Still to this day, I reach out to people, ask for advice, and I’ve had people reach out to me. It’s like a full circle moment.”
That full circle extends to Castro’s relationship with S’NS as well. From a nervous young athlete receiving an award in a park during a pandemic to a confident multi-team leader with Paralympic aspirations and advocacy goals, Castro’s journey demonstrates the potential that recognition, mentorship and determination can unlock.
The commemorative plate from 2020 may remain uneaten upon, but the hunger for achievement it helped inspire continues to drive Castro forward — on the court, in the classroom and toward a future where she might inspire the next generation of athletes to reach out and find their own path to excellence.
If you know of an outstanding young athlete, nominate them for the 2025 SPORTS ‘N SPOKES Junior Athlete of the Year. Visit the online nomination form to begin.