Three-time Paralympic wheelchair basketball medalist Trevon Jenifer is known as a tenacious defender on the floor, comparing his defensive mindset to that of Dennis Rodman, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Off the field, Jenifer is also dedicated to defense and works for the US secret service.

“I am very grateful to not only represent Team USA,” Jenifer said, “but also to have a great agency that has given me the will to continue training and continue competing on the world stage.”

Three-time Paralympic medalist Trevon Jenifer previews the wheelchair basketball competition at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Jenifer was fascinated by the secret service even as a child.

“You used to hear people say ‘FBI,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, but we’re talking about the people who protect the president,'” he said. “That’s why it was a dream of mine to be in the Secret Service.”

Jenifer seized an opportunity while attending a job fair for people with disabilities. He darted toward the Secret Service booth and shadowed the recruiter like an opponent’s top scorer on the basketball court.

“I’m not going to say I didn’t spend most of my time with the Secret Service,” Jenifer said, laughing, “but I would definitely say I spent a lot of my time at this event with the Secret Service.”

Shortly after Jenifer submitted his resume, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing him to conduct all of his interviews virtually. He was hired in 2020 as a personnel security specialist for the Security Management Division, which means he helps with background checks for people hired by the Secret Service.

“I wish my job was as cool as the (intelligence agents who wear those) sunglasses and earbuds,” Jenifer said, “but it plays a critical role in the success of our agency.”

Juggling a full-time job and competing in wheelchair basketball requires Jenifer to make sacrifices, often waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go to the gym before helping his family get ready for the day and heading to work.

“The most important thing is to be present in what you are doing in that moment,” he said.

Jenifer, the face of Citi’s “What Happened” advertising campaign, is heading to Paris seeking his fourth Paralympic medal. He helped Team USA win two gold medals in a row after taking bronze at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

“I think the sky’s the limit for Team USA,” Jenifer said. “I think this sounds really trite, but I think our biggest competition is ourselves.”