CHICAGO - A young man from Englewood who was paralyzed as a child is defying the odds in pursuit of his basketball dreams.

What we know:

Martrell Stevens, a graduate student at the University of Illinois, has played wheelchair basketball across the world and will be honored before Friday’s White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field.

His path was not easy. At age 4, Stevens was struck by a stray bullet in Englewood, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

Two years later, he picked up wheelchair basketball and never looked back.

Since then, Stevens has traveled internationally, collected numerous medals and been named Illinois’ most valuable player.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in recreation, sport and tourism and is now pursuing a master’s degree.

Back in Chicago, Stevens has foc

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