The Philadelphia 76ers could be headed to the Jersey Shore.
It will be a business trip.
The team may hold their preseason training camp at Richard Stockton College in Galloway Township from Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Stockton athletic director Lonnie Folks confirmed Friday that 76ers officials have toured Stockton facilities in the past few weeks.
“We hope that they come,” Folks said.
76ers officials could not be reached for comment Friday.
The move would renew the team’s connection to Atlantic County. The 76ers held several training camps in Margate in the 1960s, including before the 1966-67 season when they finished 68-13 and won the NBA championship.
NBA training camps are not like NFL training camps. Practices are not open to the public. Although occasionally, teams will hold an open practice or scrimmage.
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But a professional team training in Atlantic County would still boost the area and Stockton.
“I think it would be a positive thing for the community,” Folks said. “You hear so many negative things about Atlantic City and the surrounding area. This would be a positive.”
The move would also enhance the 76ers’ reputation among South Jersey fans. The team needs all the help it can get. The 76ers are rebuilding. They finished 19-63 last season and are expected to struggle again this season. The team features attractive young players in guard Michael Carter-Williams — last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year — and center Nerlens Noel.
“I think it would be great for the 76ers,” Stockton men’s assistant basketball coach Scott Bittner said. “They have a lot of fans in South Jersey and the shore area. The 76ers are showing interest in the shore area, and that may be reciprocated by the people down here (during the season).”
Stockton is attractive to the 76ers for a number of reasons. The Stockton Sports Center features four full basketball courts, including two regulation side-by-side full courts.
Players and team officials would probably stay at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway.
The 76ers trained at Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia the past few seasons.
“Stockton gives the (76ers) an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle (of Philadelphia),” Folks said.
The 76ers played an exhibition game at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City in 2012, beating the Brooklyn Nets 108-105 before 6,900 fans. Philadelphia’s preseason schedule this year does not include a game at Boardwalk Hall.
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