The 20-year-old, who took up the sport two years ago, was frustrated at having to play matches in his normal street wheelchair that restricted his mobility and performance.

Prasad was close to giving up the game when Dandenong Basketball Association's development co-ordinator Andrew O'Brien stepped in and arranged the loan of a basketball wheelchair from Basketball Victoria.

The new chair has freed up the Fijian-born Prasad both physically and mentally. "I can move faster and don't have to hold the ball in one hand and push with the other like I had to do with my street wheelchair. It's changed my life, I feel I can fly and slam dunk like Michael Jordon, at least in my imagination."

Prasad urged other spina bifida sufferers and those confined to wheelchairs not to be imprisoned by their disabilities.

"Don't sit on the sidelines watching other people doing things you love and want to do."

O'Brien said he felt "helpless" watching Prasad struggle in his old wheelchair at the Stud Road stadium.

"I felt helpless watching Rav, who is so passionate and enthusiastic about the sport. He was frustrated because he had all the skills but his wheelchair was holding him back.

"He's a different person because he's got so much more freedom on the court. It was hugely rewarding for me to see the change in him."

O'Brien said Prasad had inspired the DBA and Basketball Victoria to start a regional junior wheelchair basketball program.

Dandenong Rangers players have made up half of the Australian women's basketball team selected to compete in a four-nation tournament in Canada next month.