Joe Mazzulla Reveals Reason Behind Celtics’ Citadel Training Camp

The Boston Celtics are trading their usual training-camp routine for something a little different.

Boston is heading to South Carolina on Saturday for a three-day stay at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. The Celtics will practice there before returning home ahead of their preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers next Thursday.

The decision gives Boston a chance to break away from its normal surroundings as it prepares for a season with plenty of new faces.

Fourth-year head coach Joe Mazzulla believes that's exactly what his team needs.

"It's always good to shake it up a little bit," Mazzulla said during a practice interview . "This is my fifth training camp and the first four were here, so we're just looking to do something a little different."

Mazzulla has previously spoken about how much he values lessons from military leadership. He sees the trip as an opportunity for the Celtics to incorporate some of those principles while strengthening the team's relationships away from the basketball court.

"I really enjoy military leadership. I've learned from it a lot," Mazzulla told the Boston Globe. "I think it's important, so any chance that we could get to do it, we'll try."

Team-building has been part of Boston's approach before, and Mazzulla indicated that the Celtics have previously worked with military personnel in that area. This time, the entire team will get the chance to experience the setting firsthand.

The Celtics' decision to leave Boston comes at a significant point in their preparation. With a revamped roster and several players adjusting to new roles, Mazzulla is using training camp to establish more than just Boston's on-court systems.

The trip to The Citadel gives the Celtics a different setting to work on those connections before the preseason begins.