LeBron James is ready to begin his 19th NBA season, and based on what we saw from him last season, he doesn’t appear to be planning on relinquishing his place among the game’s finest anytime soon. However, before the season begins, James will lend his name to the newest massive facility at Nike’s Oregon campus.
The LeBron James Innovation Center, which will house the new Nike Sport Research Lab, was unveiled by Nike on Monday. According to a press release from Nike, the 750,000 square foot facility “is where listening to the athlete’s voice is made tangible,” as researchers will use data collected while people are participating in their various sports to help design products that help them on and off the playing fields.
The NSRL’s expanded scope is five times larger than its predecessor’s. A full-size basketball court, a 200-meter endurance track, a 100-meter straightaway, and an artificial-turf training pitch are among the facilities available to capture athletes in full flight. A set of four advanced climatic chambers, in addition to the force plates and motion-capture equipment stated above, simulate a variety of circumstances. These breakthroughs pave the way for more research and development in the areas of mental and physical health.
“Over the course of my career and my time here at Nike, for all of this to come together is surreal,” James said in a statement. “Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to me, but I’m definitely honored. Having my name on the Innovation building feels very fitting because I’m always trying to figure out ways I can continue to innovate and continue to break the timeline of what they say is your prime.”
Now that the facility is opened, James can now focus 100 percent on the Lakers, whose regular season begins on Oct. 19 at Staples Center against the Golden State Warriors.
