The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

NBA training camps are set to tip off all across cities in the United States and the closest franchise to The Bahamas is set to host its camp in New Providence for the third time.

The Miami Heat’s training camp will open tomorrow at the Baha Mar resort and continue through October 1.

Presented by Baptist Health, the team will host two-a-day practice sessions and conclude with a practice session open to invited guests and local student athletes.

“We are honoured to be chosen as the host destination for The Miami HEAT 2022 Training Camp and thrilled to be entering a multi-year partnership with the three-time NBA champions,” said Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar.

“A quick flight from Miami, Baha Mar is the leading Caribbean destination for world-class athletes and sporting events. We look forward to welcoming the team for a week of training, coupled with the opportunity to explore the resort’s wide array of amenities, experiences, and world-class restaurants.”

Baha Mar has hosted several NBA franchises in recent years, including the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Media availability will take place following the first daily practice session only, with a viewing time updated each day.

The Heat first hosted a training camp in The Bahamas in 2013 when they were led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. They returned in 2016 with a core group led by Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic.

Team captain and Miami native, Udonis Haslem, will become the only member of the Heat’s roster to participate in all three Bahamas training camps.

The veteran forward said he considers himself an “honorary Bahamian.”

“I enjoy it here. I enjoy the people. I enjoy the culture, the food. Everybody’s nice, the weather is great. There are a lot of Miami Heat fans here. It’s just like being home,” he said at the 2016 event, “vacation here all the time. I’m like an honorary Bahamian.”

Haslem returns to the Heat for his 20th and final NBA season after three titles with the franchise.

The previous two editions were hosted at the Atlantis resort and now the venue shifts to Baha Mar for 2022.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said the franchise continues to return to The Bahamas because of its positive experiences.

“We love it here,” Spoelstra said.

“Our last experience here was terrific. We love how private it was. It’s a perfect setting for our guys in between the practices just to have a very serene atmosphere but also incredible hospitality. The guys really enjoy it. There are great people here. We always see smiles everywhere you go. It makes the work that much easier.”

The Heat will host 20 players at this year’s training camp.

Outside of training camps, Heat players have made several highly publicised trips to The Bahamas, highlighted by Kyle Lowry hosting a “pre-playoff” bonding session and Jimmy Butler’s viral workout videos at local locations such as the AF Adderley and CI Gibson gymnasiums.

The Heat opens their preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 4 and the regular season October 19 against the Chicago Bulls.