A Scotch Plains basketball program offers opportunities for young athletes with special needs.

According to their website, the Wolves Basketball Academy “provides a friendly and fun environment for children with special needs to learn the fundamentals of basketball as well as play on a team.”

Team leader Jeff Mayerson says that the emphasis is on teaching the players about the game, the rules and the skills – and not stress on winning.

There are teams for middle school-age students up through college.