Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) -- The 47th Lakota Nation Invitational is underway in Rapid City. Local legend and WNBA Head Coach Becky Hammon stopped by to catch the action today. LNI started out in Pine Ridge with eight teams because the Indian schools on the reservations couldn't get a full basketball schedule. Now they have grown to 48 boys and girls teams. "You know, we changed the name from the All-Indian Tournament to the Lakota Nation Invitational so we could invite non-Indian teams. That was the whole reason for changing the name. Give us that opportunity and work on reconciliation with our Indians and non-Indians," Basketball Tournament Director Bryan Brewer said. Catching up with air travelers at FSD WNBA Heach Coach and former Stevens Raider Becky Hammon joined the crowds today to take in LNI and believes that athletes today can make it regardless of where they are from. "So I just think the exposure and the eyes gives everyone an even playing field. You don't have to be going to Christ The King High School in New York to be seen. You can be seen a lot more with social media and just the way people can get eyes on you," WNBA Head Coach Becky Hammon said. LNI moved to Rapid City and The Monument in 1978 after they outgrew their venue in Pine Ridge. "Without this, it would be very difficult to see LNI as it is today because this facility has everything that we need currently to do all the things that we need to. It's just really a wonderful facility to have," LNI Board President Chuck Wilson said. While sports are the main focus, coming together and connecting is just as important. "In big venues playing in front of a lot of people, so I think it's super exciting. But the sport is growing and like I said more importantly the idea and the concepts of society and different groups of people have healing coming together, I think that's really important," Hammon said. This event is hosted at the Monument with wrestling, skateboarding, hand games, and a basketball tournament. The LNI basketball tournament continues all the way through the end of Saturday.