My Passion with Leon Gabbidon: Broken back was no obstacle to a dedicated basketball player

AT the age of 16, I broke my back and was told I would never run again let alone play basketball. This year will mark my 15th year on the court.

I suppose I am that person who wants to prove everyone wrong. It was my mother who urged me to do basketball. I had always been athletic and this was one way she believed I could be kept out of trouble.

My first taste for basketball was in my home town when I was 11. I started training for the Birmingham Bullets and I wasn't sure it was for me. I remember walking into the first training session with some unbranded trainers on and I was teased by the other members of the team.

Despite this, I persevered and was quickly labelled by the coach as a talented player. A few years later I was representing the West Midlands and then picked for the England under-18s.

Basketball transformed my direction in life. I was offered a scholarship at Durham University playing for the Wildcats and obtained my undergraduate degree.

Since then, I have played for a plethora of clubs – Teeside Mohawks and Tomahawks, Bradford Dragons and more recently Leeds Carnegie.

I prepare for a game by practising my shots. I usually have my iPod on playing songs to get me "in the zone" mentally. I usually watch the other team warming up. In the opening minutes of a game, my experience allows me to know exactly where the weaknesses lie in the opposing team.

My position is a starting guard; I need a good eye for the ball, speed, and to out-smart the opponent. Basketball is not deemed as contact sport but I have had my fair share of knocks and bruises as the level of competition can be fierce.

I was knocked unconscious at one game; you need to be strong physically and mentally. My profession keeps me game-fit and I also do gymnastics which builds my strength and agility.

Basketball tournaments are where you get to show your talents off to the full and I am hugely competitive. I have won numerous titles and cups with the clubs I have played for.

Winning the prestigious Bradford Basketball Tournament dunk contest in 2007 is one of my biggest achievements and got over 10,000 hits on YouTube. My gymnastics came in very handy to be able to do a cartwheel dunk into the basket to impress the judges.

I am extremely fortunate that I can combine my profession with basketball. I train a couple of times a week and I am the strength and conditioning coach for the Leeds Carnegie team.

Basketball is not just about playing a sport; it is about belonging to a team, sharing successes and defeats. Each team I played for brought good friends.

The most recent team I played for, Leeds Carnegie was the most exciting and challenging to play for as a team captain.

After a few defeats early in the season we quickly turned around as a team and climbed the division three table to go all the way to the play-offs for a division two place.