Hot Shots From Downtown in Yakima

One of the state's biggest outdoor basketball tournaments returns to the streets of Downtown Yakima this weekend.

The Yakima Sports Commission puts on the Hot Shot 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament every summer the weekend before Labor Day, and it always draws a big crowd.

Organizers said this year's tournament will include nearly 500 teams and more than 1,900 players. About 22 percent of those players come from out of town.

The sports commission said it is not just a way to get people to visit Yakima; it also brings in a lot of revenue for the city.

"No question it will bring in quite a bit of money because they will have to stay in hotels, they need to buy gas, they need to eat, maybe a little recreation while they're here, so they will definitely drop a lot of money while they are in town," said Director of Sports for the Yakima Sports Commission, Rich Austin.

Organizers said this year's turnout should set a new record, and registration is up 9 percent compared to 2012.

Organizers also said the mission of Hot Shots is to give players an event to show off their skills and have fun against their competition while making a name for sports in the Yakima Valley.