Wednesday, July 23, 2008; Posted: 3:35 p.m. (CDT)
Oklahoma City -- Another item on the "to do" list for Oklahoma City's NBA team can be checked off. The team announced where it will be practicing temporarily. KSBI-TV's Kealey McIntire has more.
The 30,000 square foot facility has an NBA size basketball court and a nice weight training area. Those are two reasons the Performance Sports Center in north Oklahoma City was chosen as the temporary practice facility. But almost everything and everyone must move out before the team moves in.
Several young athletes have been perfecting their skills at Performance Sports Center since it opened in December. It was announced Tuesday the facility will be the new practice center for the Oklahoma City NBA team and the young athletes are thrilled to share the floor with professionals.
"I've just been working out here and then they're moving for the team. I just don't know where I'm going to keep working out, but it's really cool how they get to work out here," says Brandon Kidd.
Performance Sports Center offers speed and agility training for developing athletes in sports like volleyball and basketball.
The Professional Basketball Club bought the facility from the current owners, meaning they have to be out by Friday. Even though they're scrambling to find a new gymnasium, General Manager Scott Hill is thrilled the team chose his facility.
"We're ecstatic. This is a great opportunity for us to have been involved in this facility and for the professional basketball team to come in and use this," says Hill.
Minor improvements must be made to the locker rooms, training area, office space, meeting rooms and media room to meet team needs and NBA specifications before the team moves in. Team officials say all improvements should be finished in time for training camp in September.
Hill says he's sad to leave the building, but says it signifies greater things to come.
"This state and this city is in for a really unique experience," says Hill. "It's going to be a fun ride and I bet they're successful."
Sam Presti, the team's general manager, says, "We were quite impressed with what Performance Sports Center was able to offer for our temporary needs. The NBA size court and weight and training facilities are efficient for us in the interim."
Hill says they will have the opportunity to buy the building back once the team's permanent practice facility is built.
Hill also says the team will have some sort of relationship with Performance Sports Center. We're told the team could host camps or things of that nature, but it's too early to tell.
