Tucson Standard

Josh Wheeler smiles as he races across the basketball court, arms pumping furiously and hands pushing against the wheels of his new wheelchair. His eyes track a red-and-white striped ball as it sails through the air over his left shoulder.

The ball lands just inches behind Wheeler's chair as he nears the end of the court. Eyes trained on his target, he comes to a quick stop, turns, reaches out, and grasps the ball with one hand as his chair tips onto one wheel.

At first glance, it may seem like a near-accident, but the maneuver only causes Wheeler to laugh as he warms up for practice at the University of Arizona Campus Recreation's SouthREC facility. Wheeler can be found in the gym three days a week, running drills with his teammates. After passing exercises and wind sprints, Wheeler ends the training session tired and sweating – though his smile remains.

Belying his upbeat demeanor, Wheeler takes his training seriously. In just over a week, he and other members of Team USA's wheelchair rugby squad will face off against Canada in the preliminary rounds of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

In addition to wearing the stars and stripes for Team USA, Wheeler was a longtime member of U of A's wheelchair rugby team and is a recent graduate of Eller College of Management. He moved from Oregon to Tucson in 2015 and enrolled at U of A in 2020 after COVID-19 delayed the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Wheeler earned a bachelor's degree in business administration before completing an online master's degree in accounting in May.

Taking on Canada at Champ-de-Mars Arena won't be Wheeler's first time playing on the world stage. A longtime member of Team USA's wheelchair rugby squad, he was part of silver-medalist teams at both the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 games in Tokyo.

This year, Wheeler aims to win gold in front of his family.

"I want to be able to play at the top of my game – as close to perfect as possible – and dial in some of the stuff that I have worked on a lot over the years," he said. "Tokyo was very quiet, and to be able to have my family in Paris is something I'm really excited for. To know they are there supporting me is going to be really cool."

Wheeler will travel to Paris alongside some of the sport's preeminent athletes. The USA national wheelchair rugby team is among the most decorated Paralympic programs globally and has won medals at every Paralympic Games since wheelchair rugby was added in 2000. Team USA will compete against Canada before taking on Japan and Germany. The results will determine whether Team USA has a chance for its first gold since 2008.

"Team USA has a balanced lineup and many players that are really good," Wheeler said. "If we play our game, it will be hard for anybody in the world to beat us."

While Wheeler competes for gold in wheelchair rugby, other former and current Wildcats will participate in various sports at this year's Paralympics. Among them is Blaise Mutware, who represents Canada in men's wheelchair basketball.

"Canada has a strong legacy in this sport," he said. "We've won three gold medals and a silver as well. I just want to make my country proud."

Mutware made his national team debut at the 2019 Parapan American Games where Canada won silver and qualified for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics; they finished eighth there but improved their standing since then by winning bronze at both World Championships (2023) & Parapan American Games (2023).

When not representing Canada on court Mutware plays for UofA’s men’s team joining Wildcats back '21 attributing development largely due time spent Tucson stepping leadership role evolving maturity aspects now keenly focused aggression offensive strategy alongside renowned defensive skills sets honed earlier periods career trajectory...

Mutware along Canadian national teammates secured spots Paris defeating Italy during International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Repechage Tournament held Antibes France April matches schedule starts facing host nation initial encounter followed Great Britain Germany results preliminaries shaping subsequent fixtures overall tournament progressions

UofA Adaptive Athletics Program supporting university’s Disability Resource Center integral framework adaptive sports campus history spanning half-century nurturing fifty-one athletes reaching pinnacle success participating multiple disciplines across globe championships recognition wider community forefront advocacy initiatives...

Among those competing besides Josh Blaise notable figures include:

Women’s Wheelchair Basketball

Josie Aslakson (USA alumna head coach) bronze medalist Tokyo

Melanie Hawtin (Canada community member) third-time participant

Courtney Ryan (USA alumna assistant coach) bronze medalist Tokyo

Natalie Schneider (USA captain fifth appearance previous accolades spanning four editions)

Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Phil Evans (Australia alumnus debutant)

Wheelchair Rugby Chuck Aoki(USA co-captain fourth participation cumulative tally encompassing diverse honors multiple events Lee Fredette(USA two-time medallist longstanding community contributor Rio Kanda Kovac(Canada undergraduate interdisciplinary studies freshman entrant latest performances impressive showcasing promising future prospects Chuck Melton(USA veteran campaigner significant contributions past editions Josh O'Neal(USA newcomer roster inclusion commendable achievements rapid progression...)

Sitting Volleyball Whitney Dosty(USA transitioned successfully post-injury illustrious prior standing volleyball career collegiate levels accolades)

Wheelchair Tennis Dana Mathewson(USA seasoned performer consistent rankings double categories)

Track Field Chelsea Stein(USA emerging talent distinguished initial international outings medallist recently concluded regional contests)...

Opening ceremony scheduled Aug28 televised NBC Peacock Telemundo platforms providing comprehensive coverage extensive audience reach domestic international viewers alike anticipated grand spectacle celebrating athletic excellence spirit perseverance unity amidst global sporting fraternity...