Abad Viquez first saw Derrick Rose as a second grader in Chicago. Posters of the Bulls’ then-No. 1 overall pick covered his teacher’s walls and he was hooked.
For Viquez, now known as ‘Shorty A’ to his 50,000+ social media followers, basketball was more than a sport—it was a lifeline. Born with Sacral Agenesis, a rare condition that left him without a tailbone and affected his growth, Viquez faced many challenges. But through Derrick Rose’s story of perseverance he found inspiration to chase an impossible dream.
A Lifelong Inspiration: Derrick Rose and Overcoming Adversity
Viquez remembers the first time he saw Derrick Rose. “Everyone was talking about him and I didn’t even know who he was,” he says. Watching Rose play helped him connect with his peers and make friends at school—a place where fitting in felt impossible due to his disability.
Rose’s rise to fame—and his comeback from injuries—resonated with Viquez. At 22 years old Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history during the 2010-11 season. But it wasn’t just his success—it was how he came back from injuries that inspired Viquez.
“I went through a lot of bullying,” Viquez says. “On top of that I had surgeries, physical therapy—all while trying to keep up at school. Seeing Derrick Rose train and fight to get back on the court motivated me to do the same.”
Basketball became Viquez’s therapy. Whether he was shooting hoops in his backyard or watching Rose dominate games, the sport gave him purpose. It also sparked sibling rivalry. His sister Frida loved LeBron James which led to debates between them. “I got tired of him winning, winning, winning,” Viquez jokes, referring to LeBron’s dominance over the Bulls.
The Birth of ‘Shorty A’
In high school, kids called Viquez “Speedy,” “Turbo,” and other fun names because of his power wheelchair. Looking back on those names, he decided to go with one that represented his journey: ‘Shorty A.’
“When I was younger being short used to bother me,” he says. “But not anymore.” He started his Instagram account in 2019 and posted trick shot videos that went viral. One video reposted by Overtime Sports went crazy and got millions of views.
After that he joined TikTok and started posting content regularly. His following grew and brands like SeatGeek started to take notice and sponsor his videos. Today ‘Shorty A’ is known not only for his love of basketball but also for his message of hope and determination.
From Fan to Future Broadcaster
After graduating from Columbia College Chicago in 2024 with a degree in journalism and a minor in sports communication, Viquez wants to be the first broadcaster with a disability in the NBA.
“I want to inspire the next generation of kids,” he says. “To let them know that anything is possible despite their disability.”
Viquez is already making progress towards that goal. In February he won AT&T’s NBA Dreams Experience contest and got VIP access to All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. There he met Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who praised Viquez’s mission. “Sports play such an important role in connecting people,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m glad we could make it happen.”
Another highlight was when Viquez met Derrick Rose himself. At a farewell event in Chicago, Rose gave away free flowers to fans. When Viquez approached him, Rose broke protocol and signed a jersey just for him. “I almost cried in front of him,” Viquez says. “He changed my life.”
Building a Legacy Beyond Basketball
While pursuing his broadcasting dreams Viquez is busy designing merchandise under his brand YDDDY (“Your Disability Doesn’t Define You”). Proceeds go to Free Wheelchair Mission reflecting his commitment to giving back.On his platform he posts trick shots, broadcasting highlights and personal thoughts. For him every post reminds him of the lessons he learned from Derrick Rose: resilience, self confidence and putting yourself out there.
“A round ball helped me in many ways,” he says. “I never thought I’d have over 50,000 followers on TikTok and it’s all because of Derrick Rose. He showed me what’s possible.”