Unified Sports for Inclusive Education: Assessing Basketball’s Role in Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs—A Pilot Study

This pilot study evaluates the effectiveness of basketball, implemented according to Uni- versal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and educational best practices, as an inclu- sive tool for students with Special Educational Needs in lower secondary school. The re- search involved 24 adolescents aged 11–14 with Special Educational Needs, who partici- pated in a structured 30-session basketball program designed to enhance motor, rela- tional, and individual skills. The program incorporated evidence-based methodologies such as differentiated instruction, peer modeling, and cooperative activities. Motor tests and psychometric questionnaires were administered pre- and post-intervention to assess three key developmental dimensions. Results demonstrated significant improvements across all three dimensions: relational competencies and individual factors showed equal progress (+20.8% each), while motor skills showed slightly more modest but still substan- tial gains (+16.6%). These findings confirm that a structured pedagogical approach can transform sport into a powerful vehicle for inclusion. The article highlights how the inte- gration of physical activity, inclusive teaching methodologies, and unified sports repre- sents an effective strategy to address the complexity of Special Educational Needs.