We are now one month removed from the start of LA Clippers training camp, which, as we now know, will be taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Clippers will travel to the Pacific islands for training camp for the third year in a row.
In the meantime, many players are lifting weights, getting shots up and putting in work in the city, whether at the Clippers' practice facility or elsewhere. One place that several Clippers players have recently gathered to work on their craft has been UCLA.
As many are aware, former UCLA player and current Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Rico Hines hosts high-level pickup games at the university's recreation center each summer. We have already seen Clippers players attend these runs earlier in the month.
Hyland, Brown, Christie, Miller, Jones and Harkless attended pickup runs
Clippers writer for The Athletic Law Murray reported that six rostered Clippers players made an appearance at the pickup runs on Thursday. Those players were Bones Hyland, Kobe Brown, 2024 draft pick Cam Christie, Jordan Miller, Kai Jones and Elijah Harkless.
These runs are a good way for NBA players to get some full-court, five-on-five competition under their belts in the summer. Hines hosts these pickup games specifically as a way to help guys grow and develop, structuring the events in a way where players can compete at a high level.
At the Rico Hines runs, every level of hooper comes out to play. From NBA players, college players and former college players all the way to gym rats who love the competitive nature of the games, everyone is welcome at this event.
Getting involved at these pickup runs was no doubt helpful for these six Clippers players. Going hard against their competition while becoming more acclimated to the community was certainly very beneficial for everyone, especially the new guys.