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On the eve of the world championships, Aidan Love struggled to explain his feelings.

A year after a ski accident that left him in a wheelchair, the 20-year-old Whitehorse para-athlete will pull the Team Canada jersey over his head for the first time this weekend in Great Britain.

"Oh God,鈥� he told the Star. "It's an opportunity that not many people get to experience and it's hard to kind of put into words. But it's an honour for me and I'm sure my parents are proud.

"That was my goal,鈥� he chuckled. "No, it's going to be a really cool experience, and hopefully I can do it again later in life with the older team. We'll see that when it happens.鈥�

Named to the national U-23 men's team in July, the rookie is one of 12 players headed to the World Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Adana, Turkey. The tournament will take place Sept. 7 to 14.

Love flew out of Whitehorse this morning en route to London, where the Canadian team will play four friendlies against Great Britain from Sept. 1 to 4.

The exhibition games will serve as Canada's final opportunity to train before the world championship.

Held every four years, Canada will be one of 12 countries vying for the world title, and have an opportunity to become the first team in history to win the tournament for a third time.

Canada won the first two world tournaments in 1997 and 2001 before the United States claimed victory in 2005 and 2009.

The U.S. will not participate in this year's event.

Canada is looking to rebound from their eighth-place finish in Paris from 2009.

"I think we'll do well,鈥� Love said of Canada's tournament chances. "I think we'll definitely have a medal around our necks by the end of it.

"We have a pretty tough pool though, and have a few good battles ahead of us. I personally have never seen any of the other teams, nor met any of the other players, but some of my teammates have and we're going to take it one game at a time and see how it goes.鈥�

Canada will compete in Pool A versus Great Britain, Germany, Iran, Mexico and South Africa.

Australia, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Venezuela and host Turkey will do battle in Pool B.

Canadian head coach Steve Bialowas said the current squad has a chance to create their own history and start a new legacy in Turkey.

"Every player and staff member on this team is extremely proud to be Canadian,鈥� Bialowas said.

"We are proud of Canada's history in wheelchair basketball and of past successes at this

tournament, but this is an entirely new roster than the guys that won in 2001.

"All countries are in a similar situation where there is not a lot of opportunity to scout the other teams,鈥� he added. "We know that we need to compete at a consistently high level in order to be successful.鈥�

After spending more than two weeks practising in Toronto earlier this month, Love said he has a better grasp of what his role will be on the national squad.

The rookie will not be in the starting lineup, and his role will depend on the game situation and injuries.

"We definitely have a game plan going into most games,鈥� he said. "We will be doing a lot of video review while we're in Great Britain, just catching up on the players from other teams and what not. That will be good for me especially, because I'll have somewhat of an idea after that about who's who and what we can do.鈥�

The roster includes three returning players from 2009, including Jonathan Vermette (Que.), Philippe Vermette (Que.) and Nikola Goncin (Sask.).

Other players include Jack Kosterman (B.C.), Jeremy Watts (P.E.I.), Joel Watts (P.E.I.), Kevin Wakeling (Ont.), Liam Hickey (N.L.), Mitchel Bossaer (Sask.), Reid Richard (Sask.), Vincent Dallaire (Que.) and Love.

"It's exciting,鈥� Love said yesterday. "It's going to be a lot of fun when we get there especially. Right now, I'm a little nervous. It's going to be a long flight, I know that much. I haven't flown this long ever before in my life.鈥�

This morning, Love boarded a plane to Vancouver, and from there, he will head to Heathrow Airport 鈥� a 10-hour journey.

After arriving in London at 10 a.m. Sunday, the team will hold a quick practice before hitting the court that night for their first of four friendlies against Great Britain.

Love said he is looking forward to going into battle with his new teammates.

"They're all really nice guys,鈥� he said. "I don't think there's one person on the team that I don't enjoy being with.鈥�

Canada earned a berth in the world championship in March after winning the American Zone qualifier 74-67 over host Mexico.