It's the largest indigenous tournament in the world and it's playing out right here in the Valley this week. Nearly 130 teams and 1,600 athletes from around the country are playing 300 basketball games in five days.
The Native American Basketball Invitational is so popular they had to cap the number of teams this year. It's also caught the attention of the NBA.
"It's everything to me," says Kaya Olivar who is playing in the Junior NBA Camp. "Sometimes it's competition but in other cases it's just fun. It gets all the stuff off my mind."
This is just the second time the NBA has held a Junior NBA Camp specifically encouraging Native American youth. The camp is coinciding with the NABI Tournament.
A.C. Green can relate to some of these young people. Playing professional ball for him - he thought wasn't an option.
"The NBA and all that, not even a chance," says Green. "I was like, whatever."
But it was a 30-second pep talk from his high school basketball coach that changed everything.
"He saw the potential in me but he knew that I was not focused at that time and if I changed my attitude I can change my longitude."
Green went on to play for the L.A. Lakers, the Miami Heat, the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns.
"If it can happen to me and for me, it can happen to you and for you."
The NABI Tournament is being played at several locations on the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The final games will be played at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix on Saturday.
