The NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers announced on Monday that they will be holding their upcoming training camp at the luxurious Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in The Bahamas. The camp is set to take place from Tuesday October 1 to Saturday October 5, offering the team a scenic and secluded environment to fine-tune their preparation for the upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) season. Prior to heading to The Bahamas, the Sixers will host its media day on September 30 at their regular training complex in Camden, New Jersey.
This marks the third consecutive year that the Sixers have chosen to hold their training camp away from their regular training base, a strategy that Head Coach Nick Nurse believes is crucial for setting the tone for the season. Last year, the team gathered in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the year before that, they traveled to Charleston, South Carolina. Nurse, now entering his second season with the team, emphasizes the importance of maximizing the time during training camp to ensure the team is well-prepared for the rigors of the NBA season.
“I really put a lot of stock in training camp,” Nurse said during a press conference on July 23. “It’s the crux of your practice time, and we’ve normally come out of training camps fast. I would expect this to be no different.
We are going to be prepared to get every ounce of time to get our guys ready to go.” One of the key storylines heading into this year’s camp is the team’s connection to The Bahamas, despite the recent departure of Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield, a Bahamian and ambassador of the game in the country. He was traded from the Sixers to the Golden State Warriors in a July sign-and-trade deal.
Hield’s absence is notable given his deep ties to The Bahamas and his recent efforts with the Bahamian national team in their qualifying effort for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Sixers still maintain a strong Bahamian connection with veteran guard Eric ‘EJ’ Gordon, one of their offseason acquisitions. Gordon, whose mother was born in The Bahamas, switched his FIBA (International Basketball Federation) eligibility to represent the country in international competition.
Over the summer, he played a pivotal role in The Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team’s Olympic qualifying campaign, teaming up with Hield and NBA star DeAndre Ayton. The trio led the team to an impressive run, although they ultimately fell short of an Olympic berth after losing to Spain in the final qualifying match. The decision to hold training camp in The Bahamas is significant not only for the Sixers preparation but also for the local community, as the country continues to build its reputation as a basketball destination.
The Atlantis Paradise Island Resort is no stranger to high-profile basketball events, hosting the Battle 4 Atlantis men’s college basketball tournament for the past 13 years, as well as the women’s tournament, now in its fourth year. Also, the Miami Heat held their training camp there three times and the Big3 basketball league held its playoffs and championship there in 2021. While some may lament the timing of Hield’s departure from the Sixers, the team’s presence in The Bahamas remains a point of pride for local fans, with Gordon now serving as the team’s Bahamian ambassador.
As the Sixers embark on another season under the guidance of Nurse, their time in The Bahamas will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s dynamics and setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season for them as they challenge for an NBA title. Their major offseason acquisition nine-time all-star Paul George is expected to play a key role in the Sixers’ pursuit of an NBA championship..
