Basketball fans, rejoice: We can now officially add the NBA to the roster of pro sports organizations whose players train in our region.

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that the team will hold its 2024 training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton from Oct. 1 to 6. The six-day camp will mark the official start of the Cavaliers' prep for the 2024-2025 NBA season.

Founded in 1970 by Nick Mileti, who passed away last week at age 93, the Cavs won the NBA championship in 2016 and the Eastern Conference crown in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. (This year, they made it to round two of the Eastern Conference playoffs before being knocked out by the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics.) The starting lineup is made up of point guard Darius Garland, shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, center Jarrett Allan, small forward Max Strus and power forward Evan Mobley.

Dan Gilbert, the Cavs' chairman, is the founder and chairman of Rocket Mortgage and the founder and chairman of Rock Ventures LLC, the umbrella entity for his portfolio of business and real estate investments.

“The city of Sarasota and IMG Academy in Bradenton are the perfect backdrop for our training camp this year,” Koby Altman, the Cavaliers president of basketball operations, said in a press release announcing the news. “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. We extend our gratitude to IMG Academy and the surrounding areas for their warm hospitality in hosting our organization. Their state-of-the-art facilities and supportive communities will be instrumental in helping us prepare for the upcoming season.”

Cleveland will become the first NBA team to hold its training camp at IMG, which has multiple basketball courts and comprehensive strength and conditioning resources. This will also be the Cavaliers’ first remote training camp since preparing for the 2004-2005 season at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

“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,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said in a release. “The Cavs players, coaches and staff, as well as their fans, can look at Bradenton as a home away from home as they embark on a new season.”

“We can’t wait to welcome the Cavaliers,” added Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. “We’re planning some exciting events for the players to interact with the Sarasota community, especially our youth and aspiring athletes. We want the Cavs to experience all that Sarasota has to offer, from our amazing, vibrant downtown to the cultural arts, beaches and stunning sunsets. It certainly will be a fun, memorable week when the Cavs come to Sarasota.”