An NBA team is coming to train at a Florida sports academy. Here’s what to know

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

IMG Academy in Bradenton, on the state’s Gulf Coast, is hosting the team’s training camp Oct. 1-6.

This is 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 statement. “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.”

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

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.