EUGENE (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Canadian small forward Dillon Brooks knows his team will have pressure at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship. But he also knows they will not shy away from the challenge.

"It's going to be big. There is a lot of pressure. Canadian basketball is really on the rise. We have high expectations, but we got guys who love pressure. So I can't wait," Brooks said.

The 19-year-old admitted he is really looking forward to playing in Greece from 27 June-5 July.

"I'm really excited. We played really well at the FIBA Americas [U18 Championship]. I felt like we can go against any team with a couple more players," said Brooks, who was Canada's leading scorer (25.2 points) and second top rebounder (5.2 rebounds) last summer as they lost only to the United States in the Final.

"I think we can go in there and make history. - Brooks

History for Canada would be reaching the Semi-Finals as the land of the Maple Leaf has never won at the Quarter-Finals stage, losing to the United States in 2009 and 2013.

"It's just motivation," said Brooks when asked about Canada never getting past the Final Eight.

Canada have been drawn into Group C along with Australia, Italy and Tunisia, to which Brooks said: "I think it’s a good group for us to handle our business and come first in."

He admitted that he did not know a lot about the Group C opponents, but he added: "I know that us as Canadians play with pride and we want to hold our team with our hearts and try to win the group."

Brooks is actually thinking much higher than just winning the group.

"My goal is to win it all, to make history and put Canada on the map as a top contender in the world."

Brooks said to do that the whole team needs to buy in to passing and sharing the ball.

"Every time you get on the court - whether it’s (player) one through 12 - everyone has to play hard and with confidence and rebound and play defense."

After helping Canada to second place at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, Brooks will definitely be one of the leaders in Greece. But the Mississauga native fully expects another leader to be Jamal Murray, who captained the Canada team at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship.

"He’s a heck of a player. I played with him for two years at AAU. I’ve never seen anything like him. He’s one of a kind. He’s a lock. He will give us an extra scorer, great defense maybe another leader. Overall he’s a great player, not just scoring," said Brooks about Murray.

Brooks also said he expects the 1996-born Montaque Gill-Caesar to be a leader for Canada in Greece.

"Gill-Caeser will come out hungry. He’s a great player and person, real down-to-earth, too. He’s a quiet guy but on the court he doesn’t play around."

Another player Brooks believes will step up at the U19 Worlds is Justin Jackson, who had his coming-out party at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship as a 15-year-old and then played at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship but has not played for Canada since.

"Justin Jackson will make the jump. … He’s a freak. He’s 6-8, can handle the ball, finish at the rim, has great vision. Just a great player."

Brooks himself said he hopes to take what he learned during his first season with the Oregon Ducks and use that in Greece.

"Just keeping that leadership and keep giving that competitive spirt to everybody," said Brooks when asked what role he wants with the team this summer.

"Trying to just resonate confidence in everybody. I’m just here trying to be a leader and trying to help my team win it all."

FIBA