Wiz bring Midnight Madness to training camp

[CmWYNNE3]

Midnight Madness in the NBA?

The Washington Wizards are stealing an idea from the colleges. They announced Thursday that their first practice at training camp will start at midnight on the morning of Sept. 28.

The Wizards say that the event will have all the fanfare associated with the college version: an open practice for the fans with player introductions and prizes.

It will be the first training camp for the Wizards under new owner Ted Leonsis, whose innovative marketing helped bring in new fans to the NHL's Washington Capitals.

It's also the first training camp for the Wizards at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. The team wanted a venue closer to Washington after training in Richmond, Va., for six years.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press