Life evolves on and off the court for wheelchair basketball star Nik Goncin

OTTAWA – Three-time Paralympian Nik Goncin is back with the national men’s wheelchair basketball team, but at a camp held at the end of June in Ottawa he wouldn’t confirm if he is committed for the next three years towards the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

‘’You’re going to have to ask me at the end of this year,” said the 34-year-old star player from Regina, now living with his wife in Calgary. ‘’I’m taking it year-by-year now. As long as things are going well at home and I’m still enjoying it, I’ll keep playing.”

Since he made his national team debut a decade ago, Goncin has embodied leadership, whether he is on or off the court, while combining his strong defensive and offensive skills. He is usually among the team leaders in points, rebounds, and minutes played.

His presence is now more important than ever on the young talented squad. Another great leader and player Patrick Anderson retired following Paris 2024.

‘’You get older, you get married, and you have a job,’’ said Goncin, who lost his left leg to cancer at age 15. ‘’I do that full time outside of sport, so it takes a lot of time and it’s changed our lifestyle.’’

Goncin was sad to see Anderson hang up his jersey after an incredible two decade national team career. But he is confident Canada can continue its rise in the international rankings.

‘’What’s really changed is that we miss him,’’ said Goncin, born in Sarajevo. ‘’You miss the person not just the player. The things you remember the most are not just the games, it’s the time you spend together.’’

After a tough Paralympic Games in 2016, the Canadian team – under the guidance of head coach Matteo Feriani since 2017 – began its ascension in the international rankings, climbing to eighth at the 2020 Games, sixth at the 2023 world championships, and fourth at Paris 2024.

Goncin said whether it’s work or sports, a change in culture is sometimes required to set the ship right.

‘’Culture matters,” he said without hesitation. ‘’Around 2017 we started shifting things. We worked with mental performance coaches, tried to improve our mindset, and the way we trained as a group.

‘’We prioritized fun and friendship, things often overlooked in high performance sport.’’

Off the court, Goncin works at the children’s hospital in Calgary as an orthotic technician. He also mentors former Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki, who is keen to master a Paralympic sport and is now involved in wheelchair basketball.

‘’He’s been in wheelchair basketball for over a year now and you can see the growth he’s going through and the motivation he has,’’ said Goncin, who has a degree in bio mechanical engineering. ‘’When he first started I didn’t know how good he would get, but he’s going for it. He’s working out and doing all the things you need to do to get better and he is a student of sport.’’

Goncin has been very impressed.

‘’He improved more in a short period of time than I thought possible. He’s proved me wrong a few times and put me in my place.‘’

Whether or not Goncin continues his national team career past 2025, there appears no doubt he will remain a driving force in wheelchair basketball.

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