Video: BYU basketball unveils Marriott Center Annex practice facility


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PROVO — If a basketball team is only as good as its practice space, the BYU basketball team took a step forward with the formal completion of the Marriott Center Annex on Tuesday night.

The building was unveiled to the public in a ceremony attended by donors, season ticket holders, Cougar Club members and various BYU dignitaries, but the Cougars have been practicing in the facility for much of the past season after breaking ground just over a year ago.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the 38,000-square foot, privately-funded building in February.

The full functionality of the building was shown in various tours throughout the evening. Aside from a few cosmetic finishes that will be completed in the coming weeks, BYU's new practice facility is fully functional and includes a full-size replica of the Marriott Center court, additional basketball standards for official shootarounds (and unofficial "gym rat" workouts for guard Nick Emery, forward Yoeli Childs and others).

"As players, we're grateful, and we feel lucky," Eric Mika said while being chided by his teammates. "We have everything here. Obviously we have all these hoops, a team room, space to do homework, come to the training room."

The building also includes a state-of-the-art athletic training room, cryotherapy chamber, weight facilities and meeting rooms for both the men's and women's basketball programs, with associated office space for each team's coaches, administrators and managers.

"Now it's all coming together," BYU women's coach Jeff Judkins said. "What a great facility. There are so many people to thank to have this opportunity for our team. But there's no question it is a big advantage. My players love it, but I probably love it more than anybody because now my office is right here.

"You can't beat that."

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