"I'm back," declared Pratt, who’s made his comeback especially poignant given that he missed the last Paralympic contest due to a mental health dip that led him to prioritize personal well-being and time with his dying grandfather over his athletic career. "In Tokyo, I felt mentally a bit dark," he recently admitted. "I thought it was the right thing for my family and my grandparents," Pratt continued, reflecting on the difficult decision to step away from basketball and focus on his family during the pandemic.

At 30, Pratt is not just a player; he’s a national symbol. Having won a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, he has returned to the sport with renewed vigor and a fierce determination to ascend the podium. His leadership, alongside teammate Gregg Warburton, proved crucial as they secured a decisive win in their opening game at the Paris Paralympics. Britain overwhelmed Germany with a commanding score of 76-55, and Pratt revealed that stepping back onto the court was "laden with unexpected emotional weight."

"It was a really emotional moment," Pratt said after the opening clash. "I don’t think I fully realized the magnitude of what was happening until we came out of the tunnel. Walking onto the court last, the emotion was so intense that I actually got goosebumps."

Known for his open-minded approach, Pratt tackled his decision to sit out Tokyo with devastating honesty. He explained how personal struggles and his grandfather’s declining health led him to take a step back from basketball and focus on family connections. "I felt it was the right thing to do," he reflected. "Being there with my teammates and potentially winning a gold medal would have been incredible, but being with my grandfather in his final days is something no gold medal could ever overshadow." His heartfelt message to the media underscored the deep personal impact of his choices.

Pratt’s spirits are now sky-high, buoyed by ongoing support from the British team’s medical staff. He participated in last year’s World Championship, where Britain won silver. "I was in a somewhat uncertain situation before the World Championship," Pratt explained. "But after one of the early games, I saw a photo of myself making a victory gesture and flexing. I showed that photo to my psychiatrist and said: 'Thank you, you brought me back to that moment.'"

This year, Pratt, wearing the number 11 for GB, is determined to push his team beyond their previous limits at the Paralympic Games. Supported by his ever-reliable henchman Gregg Warburton, who scored 24 points in the opening game against Germany, Pratt’s comeback is marked by a new sense of synergy and strength. Warburton, who has overcome significant personal adversities, including the amputation of both feet as a baby, expressed his satisfaction with the tournament’s start, though he sees room for improvement.

"The opening game was a bit nerve-wracking," admitted Warburton. "We still have a lot of work to do, but starting with a victory is a good beginning. Despite the mistakes, I’m happy with how the game went and, most importantly, we got the win."

The match against Germany was anything but straightforward. The British team started strong but faced a fierce German comeback led by Matthias Guntner, who scored 19 points. However, Britain held their composure, went into halftime with a 32-25 lead, and ultimately dominated the final quarter to secure a comfortable victory, despite the game’s fluctuating momentum.

Pratt’s presence and renewed mental clarity bring a beacon of hope and a testament to human strength for Team GB’s quest for gold. As the Paris Paralympics unfold, Pratt’s return signifies not only personal recovery but also a revival for British wheelchair basketball and an even stronger team unity.