Lakers, UCLA enter partnership, Walton praises young team

Luke Walton gives his approval to the Lakers' new training facility in El Segundo, a short commute from his Manhattan Beach home. Photos

Luke Walton gives his approval to the Lakers’ new training facility in El Segundo, a short commute from his Manhattan Beach home. Photos

The Los Angeles Lakers and UCLA Health announced their partnership in the Lakers’ new, two-story, 120,000 square foot training facility Wednesday morning, during a construction site press conference. The new facility is part of Elevon at Campus El Segundo, a hotel, restaurant and retail development on Mariposa Avenue, just east of Sepulveda Boulevard in El Segundo.

Lakers COO Tim Harris

Lakers COO Tim Harris

UCLA Health will have naming rights to the facility. But Lakers COO Tim Harris stressed, “This is not a sponsorship deal. It is a partnership. We picked UCLA because of its reputation for excellent health care, innovation and commitment to giving back to the community.”

Harris said UCLA will work with the Lakers on injury prevention and treatment and also on research to prolong players’ careers.

Following the press conference, new Lakers coach Luke Walton, a Manhattan Beach resident, said what he likes best about the new, $80 million facility is the 15-player ice bath.

“Young players like ice baths. But at our current facility there’s just a one, single man ice bath. So the young guys have to wait around for the veterans to get out,” Walton said. The current facility is at the Toyota Sports Center, on Aviation Boulevard in El Segundo. The new facility is scheduled to open next summer.

Lakers co-owner and president Jeanie Buss.

Lakers co-owner and president Jeanie Buss.

Walton compared his young team to the Golden State Warriors, whom he helped coach to two championship finals over the past two years.

“They had a young team and brought in a few veterans to provide leadership. That’s what we’re doing. The veterans will fill the leadership void left by Kobe Bryant’s retirement,” Walton said. The Lakers recently acquired veterans Luol Deng and Jose Calderon.

Attending the Lakers UCLA partnership news conference were center Ivica Zubac, co-owner John Buss, rookie forward Brandon Ingram, co-owner and president Jeanie Buss, guard Jordan Clarkson and power forward Julius Randle. Photo

Attending the Lakers UCLA partnership news conference were center Ivica Zubac, co-owner John Buss, rookie forward Brandon Ingram, co-owner and president Jeanie Buss, guard Jordan Clarkson and power forward Julius Randle. Photo

Asked if Brandon Ingram, the number two pick in this year’s draft, will be starting, Walton said, “He’ll have to earn it, like everyone else. I don’t have anyone penciled in.” He added that both Ingram and fellow rookie Ivica Zubac, a 7-foot-2, 19-year-old center from Croatia, impressed him during Summer League play. ER

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