Curry hosting basketball camps for 'underrated' high school prospects

Stephen Curry knows what it's like to be overlooked coming out of high school, and he's now giving other similar prospects a chance to showcase their abilities.

In a piece published Wednesday on The Players' Tribune, Curry reflected on overcoming his doubters and announced the launch of his Underrated Tour, a series of basketball camps for unsigned high school players who are rated three stars or below.

Among the anecdotes in the piece is a conversation a 13-year-old Curry had with his mother, Sonya, after losing at the AAU national championships in 2001:

She said, "Steph, I'm only going to tell you this one time. After that, this basketball dream ... it's going to be what it’s going to be. But here's what I'll say: NO ONE gets to write your story but you. Not some scouts. Not some tournament. Not these other kids, who might do this better or that better. And not EVER your last name. None of those people, and none of those things, gets to be the author of your story. Just you. So think real hard about it. Take your time. And then you go and write what you want to write. But just know that this story - it's yours."

Man ... that moment stuck with me.

It stuck with me throughout my growing-up years, and it's stuck with me throughout my career as a basketball player so far. It's the best advice I've ever gotten. And anytime I've needed it - anytime I've been snubbed, or underrated, or even flat-out disrespected - I've just remembered those words, and I've persevered.

The Underrated Tour kicks off Jan. 19 in Los Angeles, followed by stops in Washington, Phoenix, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Oklahoma, and Oakland.