Boston Celtics Take Training Camp to South Carolina
The Boston Celtics opened their training camp at McAllister Field House on The Citadel campus in Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday. Head coach Joe Mazzulla moved the team’s operations out of Massachusetts to begin preparations for the upcoming NBA season. Players Baylor Scheierman and Hugo González worked on floaters on the court prior to the session, according to observations shared from the floor.
Joe Mazzulla Emphasizes Team Togetherness and Culture
Mazzulla tied the relocation directly to maintaining continuity from the previous year while building early cohesion. In comments reported by si.com, the coach pointed out that every roster in the league feels optimistic at the start of training camp before traveling, benchings, or losing streaks test them. “You learn those things as the season goes on,” Mazzulla said, noting that teams must wait until adversity hits to discover their true character.
The coaching staff implemented mandatory yoga and mobility sessions immediately after the team’s arrival in South Carolina. Guard Payton Pritchard noted that the post-flight stretching offered tangible benefits and brought the roster together immediately after leaving the plane. Media availability was also shifted to take place before practice rather than afterward, ensuring the rest of the day remained uninterrupted.
Payton Pritchard Targets Free Throw Adjustments
Pritchard outlined a specific plan to increase his trips to the foul line during the upcoming season. He detailed a strategy of rising into shot attempts when defenders leave their feet, aiming to draw contact rather than relying on flopping. Pritchard finished last season averaging 17 points per contest while playing the second-most total minutes on the team, yet he averaged just 1.7 free throw attempts per game.
Jordan Walsh Adjusts to a Veteran Role
Forward Jordan Walsh discussed his shift into a more experienced locker room presence during camp. Walsh told si.com that he initially informed Mazzulla he felt like a veteran, a comment that prompted the coach to hold him to a higher standard and ask him to mentor newcomer Paul George during drills. Walsh shot 37.8 percent from the corner three-point range last season, a percentage he needs to elevate to create adequate spacing for the team’s centers.
Celtics Move Media Sessions to Preserve Training Schedules
- Location: McAllister Field House at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.
- Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026.
- Key Personnel: Head Coach Joe Mazzulla, guards Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo González, and forwards Jordan Walsh and Paul George.
- Schedule Change: Media sessions moved to pre-practice slots to keep daily training schedules uninterrupted.
Celtics Focus on Team Togetherness at The Citadel
Why did the Boston Celtics hold training camp at The Citadel?
The Celtics traveled to McAllister Field House in Charleston, South Carolina, to change their environment and focus on team togetherness at the start of the 2026 training camp.
What role does Jordan Walsh play regarding Paul George?
Joe Mazzulla asked Jordan Walsh to help mentor Paul George and bring him into the team’s established culture during practice drills.
How does Payton Pritchard plan to increase his scoring output?
Pritchard aims to draw more fouls by rising directly into shot attempts when defenders leave their feet, capitalizing on his 87 percent career free throw shooting percentage.
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