The 70,000 square-foot Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center, named for the Hospital for Special Surgery was unveiled for the media, government officials, and the community

Today, the Brooklyn Nets unveiled the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Training Center, its new $50 million privately-funded training facility that occupies 70,000 square feet on the eighth floor and rooftop of a renovated warehouse in the Industry City section of Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

In addition to being a practice facility for the Brooklyn Nets players, the Nets Basketball Operations moved in from New Jersey and with that move, the Nets are really rooted in Brooklyn.

With an event this big in New York City, one would expect New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio would be in attendance.

New York City Councilman Robert Cornegy

New York City Councilman Robert Cornegy, who played college basketball on the St. John’s Final Four team, was on hand for the occasion. Even though neither the Barclays Center nor the HSS Training Center is in his district, he truly understands the significance of what this day means to Brooklyn.

Obviously, Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center owner flew in from Russia to preside over the proceedings and to remind us that he is building a world-class organization in Brooklyn.

Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Brooklyn Nets and the Barclays Center

“At last, the Nets are completely integrated into Brooklyn,” said Mikhail Prokhorov. “Our arena, our offices, and now the HSS Training Center are all part of this great borough, including its vibrant Sunset Park community. Team training and player development are essential parts of our team’s core values and we look forward to building a winning culture on this stunning foundation.”

“It’s exciting to see the HSS Training Center come to life after watching its transformation the past couple years, said Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO of HSS. “We are proud of our long-standing relationship with the Nets organization, the players, and fans around the world.”

Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO, Hospital for Special Surgery

In a word, the Brooklyn Nets’ HSS Training Center is spectacular. From walking off the elevator into a beautiful lobby and then into a “gym” which houses two full basketball courts and a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline.

Photo Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke

The locker room is filled with open wood-grained cubbies sized to fit the athletes; and to remind you where you are, the center of the rug is filled with the Brooklyn Nets logo. Adjacent to the locker area are modern shower and bathroom facilities designed with luxury amenities.

The players have a private elevator and entrance that leads right by the trainers, aerobic, weight, and treatment room making it hard to slip by. There is also a training pool and two hydro pools. One treatment apparatus that you don’t see in your average fitness center is a Cryotherapy Chamber; its benefit is supposed to reduce, inflammation, pain, and spasms among other benefits.

I’ll check back with the players and Dr. Riley J. Williams III, the Brooklyn Nets’ Medical Director and Head Team Physician on this one. Dr. Williams is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine surgeon at HSS.

Dr. Riley Williams III, orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon, and Brooklyn Nets’ Medical Director and Head Team Physician

Other conveniences afforded to the players, and by extension, the staff at the HSS Training Center, are chefs on staff from Levy Restaurants, a 3,000 square feet hospitality players’ lounge/game room, an 18-seat multimedia theater, and rooftop entertainment space. The media also have an interview/work room.

Hospitality/players' lounge

If the food served to the players is anything like what was served during the festivities, the players will be well-nourished as the food was presented thematically: prevention, performance, and recovery.

In addition to the players, the Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center is expected to benefit the surrounding community of Sunset Park as well, as stated by Mayor de Blasio in his remarks.

“With this new training center in Sunset Park, the Brooklyn Nets are now truly making Brooklyn their home,” said Mayor de Blasio. “This facility will bring more than just the Nets’ practices to Brooklyn – 40 new full-time jobs, youth basketball clinics, internships for young people and more will ensure this is a great addition for our communities.”

Bill de Blasio, Mayor, City of New York

One thing is for certain, the Brooklyn Nets players have everything elite athletes could ever want in the physical construction of a work environment, a world-class arena and state of the art training facility.