I’m Steve Humphreys, Director of Reno Tropics Basketball Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth in our community through the game of competitive basketball. Our professional-level hoops experience is what truly sets us apart, and our player development program focuses on preparing athletes for success in their high school careers and beyond, while instilling meaningful life lessons through the experience of sport.

Today, I’m asking for your help.

At the end of 2025, we began building what would become Reno’s only dedicated and premier basketball-only facility in Northern Nevada—a dream made possible by incredible community partners who believed in our mission. What should have been a defining moment for our basketball community has instead turned into a devastating setback.

In December 2025, we contracted with a vetted and reputable national basketball court flooring company to install 8,000 square feet of maple flooring in our new gym. Unfortunately, we became victims of fraud when a company representative diverted our payment to his personal account. We later discovered this individual had a prior history of embezzlement and was on parole.

Since then, the company has refused to honor our original contract forcing us to start over. Now, months past our expected completion date, our facility still sits without flooring and is unusable. At the same time, we continue to shoulder the financial burden of a space we cannot use. The flooring was the final piece of our gym build. With the hoops installed, wall pads in place, lighting set, and paint completed, the space now just waits for flooring.

Reno Tropics Basketball is a 100% volunteer-run organization, and this situation has put our program—and the kids who benefit from it—at serious risk of being able to continue with the mission, growth, and trajectory of the program.

We’re asking for the community’s support to help us recover, complete our facility, and continue providing a safe, positive, and motivating space for young athletes. Every contribution, no matter the size, truly makes a difference.

Our $68,000 request is meant to restore our original position, covering the theft, lost warehouse payments, and the time needed to restart the project with a new flooring company. Any funds raised beyond this amount will go directly toward the project and support the kids in the program.

If you’re able to donate or simply share this message, we are deeply grateful.

Our 501(c)(3) non-profit tax ID # is 39-3885016.

Thank you for your support. And Go Tropics!

Thanks,

Steve