AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron men's basketball head coach Keith Dambrot will evaluate players at the Cleveland Cavaliers free agent mini camp, scheduled for June 27-29. Dambrot, who is preparing for his sixth season at the helm of the Zips program, will be participating in the event for the second time in three years.

NBA mini camps generally feature indviduals playing professionally in the league, overseas or in the D-League. The weekend tryout comes on the heels of Thursday's NBA Draft and just a few weeks before the start of the NBA summer league schedule.

"This is an educational experience for me as a coach and also increases the exposure of our program," Dambrot said. "The Cavs are supportive of our University in a variety of ways and I enjoy having the opportunity to return that support."

Dambrot, who last week had his contract extended thru June of 2016, has led UA to 115-51 (.693) record over the last five seasons. That win total is the most among Mid-American Conference schools and the 28th highest nationally during that time. In 2008-09, he led the program to a 23-13 record (10-6 MAC), its first-ever MAC Tournament championship and first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1986 (school’s only other appearance). Under his watch, the program has advanced to the postseason in back-to-back and three of the last four years – participating in the National Invitation Tournament in 2008 and 2006.

Dambrot and Cavs superstar LeBron James have a long-standing relationship. As head coach of Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (1998-99 through 2000-01 season), Dambrot won a pair of state championships (2000 and 2001) with James being a key component of the squad (his freshman and sophomore seasons). James is no stranger to UA’s Rhodes Arena on game days and is a regular at off-season workouts in the Zips' facility.

James was pivotal in brokering a unique relationship between the Akron basketball program and Nike, as the team entered a three-year partnership with the company in June of 2008 under which the Zips' shoes, game uniforms, warms ups, practice gear and accessories would all be licensed under the Nike and LeBron James "LJ23" Trademarks.

The Akron campus serves as the site of the LeBron James Skills Academy (showcase for the nation's best high school players) each summer and The King James Shooting Stars Classic (AAU tournament) is also headquartered on the UA campus in April. The Cavs hold their annual Wine and Gold intrasquad scrimmage in Rhodes Arena each fall.