RENO, Nev. (Mynews4.com & KRNV) - It is game time at the Reno Events center in downtown Reno. There are 16-teams set to play four games each day over the next four days during the NBA's Developmental League Showcase. Reno's own D-League team, the Reno Bighorns will be featured in the showcase.
At tip off time for the first game of the showcase the crowd seemed a bit small. "I was the first one here. I thought I might be the only one," said Leon Dhaven who is in town from Phoenix, Arizona. Unlike Dhaven, the crowd is made up of mostly NBA Scouts, here to find the next basketball superstar.
Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Chris Baum says the return of the showcase is great news for the Reno-Tahoe area. He says it is not only because of the people who come, but because of the exposure. For the first time the showcase will be televised nationally. "All business is good business," said Baum.
Baum Says they have booked 100,000 more room nights this year compared to last year. He says it is because they are booking bigger events. However he adds the number of events are actually down this year. Baum says it's the smaller events that they are now starting to work on. "It's the smaller conventions that most cities make their bread and butter on, we are going to want more of that," said Baum.
As for the fans who did come to relax and watch a few good games of basketball, Reno seems to be making a good impression. "This is a nice location. Reno is a really nice town," said Dhaven.
