Ben Sibulkin says he can't imagine his life without sports.

"It's the thing I look forward to throughout the week when I'm in school, and for me not to have sports, I'd be a completely different person," he said.

The 17-year-old high school senior grew up playing baseball and basketball. 

It's through these sports that Ben learned teamwork and built life-long friendships. And the idea that not all kids get to do the same, just didn't sit right with him.

After volunteering for a similar program in California back in 2016, Ben was inspired to start a free basketball league for children with special needs. 

"Good Sport Nation" runs on a peer-to-peer model. Athletes with special needs are paired with volunteer teen coaches, the game is slowed down a bit, and rules are adapted.

And while the game may be structured a little differently, the bonds built on the court are just like any other. 

"The thing that really touched me was when I saw my friends with the kids with special needs just talking - just having a good time, laughing, talking about oh, what's your favorite TV show, what's your favorite sports team? That was really a moment that brought this whole thing together and made it special," Sibulkin said.

For 15-year-old Patrick Bowers, the benefits go beyond the physical - the sport gives him confidence and joy.

"I was actually very happy to be in the program. If people can experience basketball, they can experience anything," Bowers said.

Ben says that takeaway is better than any basket made or game won.

"If someone walked in here and they didn't know what this program was and they saw Kyle or someone running up the court with the ball, they would think oh, this is a league, that's all this is. I love when I see it and those labels are taken off, and lifted from them. It's really inspiring," Sibulkin said.

So, for giving all kids a shot on the court, Ben Sibulkin is our New Yorker of the Week.