LOS ANGELES — Identifying a critical requirement for a base on the West Coast, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) repurposed a former Clippers facility into a state-of-the-art, round-the-clock training center designed with significant contributions from league athletes. PLYRS UNTD, the retail and commercial arm of the NBPA, formally revealed the news this Tuesday.
Valued at $50 million, the 42,500-square-foot complex is situated in Playa Vista, roughly a 15-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport. While players previously had access to other summer workout venues, nothing compares to the scale of this new site.
Although the NBPA’s headquarters in New York features a basketball court, this Southern California location is substantially larger and far better equipped. Establishing a West Coast training base was essential, as association data indicates that nearly 200 NBA athletes reside or train in the Los Angeles area during the summer months.
An initial soft opening occurred earlier in the season, drawing over 80 athletes to the venue in just the fortnight following summer league action. David Kelly, serving as NBPA Executive Director and PLYRS UNTD CEO, noted that the concept had been under consideration for a long period, with the ideal chance arising once the Clippers relocated to their new arena in Inglewood.
“The feedback we’ve received has been incredible,” remarked Kelly. “It aligns perfectly with our broader mission and the identity of the PLYRS UNTD brand—which centers on constructing environments designed by the players, for the players. We actively gather their input to determine exactly what features to integrate into these locations.”
Even though he suits up for the New Orleans Pelicans, forward Trey Murphy regularly spends the latter portion of the offseason in Southern California training alongside Drew Hanlen. Appointed as Vice President of the NBPA Executive Committee back in February, Murphy was deeply involved in guiding this initiative. He shed light on the reasons athletes pushed for a high-end training center on the Pacific coast.
“It really boiled down to the success of our New York facility coupled with the massive contingent of players who spend their summers in L.A.,” Murphy shared. “I used to play pick-up games at UCLA on a smaller floor. That is not to criticize UCLA’s setup, but the simple truth is that it isn’t a regulation-sized court. Here, we enjoy a full-sized court, a dedicated weight room, a sauna, and turf areas. We truly have everything we need under one roof.”
While the structure itself was pre-existing, it underwent extensive remodeling driven by player suggestions. A whiteboard on site is filled with post-it notes outlining custom requests from various athletes, a large portion of which have already been fulfilled. Murphy mentioned his own request for an assault bike, though his primary focus was far more straightforward:
“My main suggestions revolved around the food options,” he admitted.
Nutritional choices and smoothie bars were highly requested items among the league’s players. Emphasis is placed on wholesome ingredients, and in addition to a custom smoothie station, catered morning and afternoon meals are supplied by Pivot Culinary throughout the busiest summer training weeks.
Beyond dietary offerings, many requests centered on specialized strength training gear and therapeutic options like acupuncture and massage therapy. Among the more unconventional suggestions were an indoor turf incline and a boxing area.
Features of the PLYRS UNTD Performance Center
- A pair of regulation-size basketball courts constructed to exact league standards
- A comprehensive sports medicine clinic dedicated to therapy and injury rehab
- An elite strength and conditioning space filled with gear chosen directly by the athletes
- State-of-the-art therapeutic facilities, such as a steam room, sauna, sensory deprivation float tank, bodywork room, and mindfulness pod
- Custom-designed turf zones suited for both interior and exterior physical conditioning
- A lounge area for families alongside formal meeting rooms
- In-house dining solutions offering tailored pre- and post-exercise nutrition and dietary guidance
During this summer break, union representatives are organizing twice-weekly pickup games, and players remain free to work with their personal coaching staff. Matteo Zuretti, the Chief Player Experiences Officer for the NBPA, referred to the center as a “performance box” because it offers comprehensive resources without restricting who the athletes choose to train with.
“Our objective is to deliver this foundational structure, allowing the players to supply their own pieces while we step in to handle the rest,” Zuretti explained. “For instance, while we provide in-house physical therapists and trainers, some guys might prefer their own staff, whereas others will depend entirely on our team for support.”
The round-the-clock accessibility of the facility is another major benefit. Murphy utilizes the space frequently, noting that while he typically wraps up by 10 p.m. to protect his sleep schedule, other players routinely utilize the venue for training sessions at 2 a.m.
Arguably the most significant advantage is the concentration of elite talent training in a single location, creating a motivating environment where peer performance elevates everyone. Murphy recalled that one of his most productive recent shooting sessions occurred right here, driven by the knowledge that his peers were observing him.
“When you step into the facility and notice other league veterans, your competitive drive kicks in,” Murphy reflected. “You feel the urge to focus and demonstrate the work you’ve put in. I’d describe it as an incredibly positive form of rivalry.”
