Bradenton’s IMG Academy set to host this NBA team’s training camp for the first time

The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming to Bradenton before the 2024-25 NBA season begins.

IMG Academy is hosting the team’s training camp Oct. 1-6.

It marks the first time the private sports academy has hosted an NBA team’s preseason camp. IMG has previously hosted Major League Soccer clubs, international teams, the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, Florida State University’s football team and Michigan’s college football team.

“The city of Sarasota and IMG Academy in Bradenton is the perfect backdrop for our training camp this year,” Koby Altman, the Cavaliers president of basketball operations, said in a news release. “This is a unique opportunity for us to utilize a world-class facility away from our usual environment, providing an excellent setting for building team chemistry and culture.”

Cavs’ players and staff will also have chances to engage with the Sarasota and Bradenton communities.

“When we learned the Cleveland Cavaliers selected IMG Academy as their training camp home, it didn’t come as a surprise as it reinforces the value IMG brings to our community,” said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau . “The Cavs players, coaches and staff as well as their fans can enjoy our laid-back nature and look at Bradenton as a home away from home as they embark on a new season.”

The Cavs lost the Eastern Conference semifinals in five games to the Boston Celtics last season. The Celtics went on to win the NBA championship .

Donovan Mitchell led the team in scoring with 26.6 points per game last year. Jarrett Allen paced the Cavs on the glass with 10.5 rebounds per game , while Darius Garland had a team-high 6.5 assists per game.

Training camp is not expected to be open to the public.

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